The Parkash Gurpurab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji commemorates the birth of the ninth Sikh Guru, a revered spiritual teacher and martyr who sacrificed his life for religious freedom.
Parkash Gurpurab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji
The Parkash Gurpurab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji is one of the most sacred festivals in the Sikh religion. This day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, the grandson of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji and the son of Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji. He was born in Amritsar to Mata Nanaki Ji. In his childhood, he was named Tyag Mal.
Historical Background
Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was the ninth Sikh Guru. He was born on April 1, 1621, in Amritsar. From a young age, he displayed deep spiritual inclinations and a fearless nature. He received education in Gurmukhi, Hindi, Sanskrit, and Persian, and was trained in martial arts and horse riding. His father, Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji, and his grandfather, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, were both great Sikh Gurus who nurtured his spiritual and temporal development.
After the passing of Sri Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji, the eighth Sikh Guru, the Sikh community faced a period of uncertainty. It was then that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji was installed as the ninth Guru in 1664. He traveled extensively across the Indian subcontinent, spreading the message of Sikhism, establishing new congregations, and inspiring people with his teachings. His travels took him to places like Patna, Dhaka, and Assam, where he left a lasting impact on the local populations.
Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji is particularly remembered for his supreme sacrifice for the protection of religious freedom. During the reign of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, there was intense persecution of non-Muslims, especially Hindus in Kashmir, who were being forced to convert to Islam. A group of Kashmiri Pandits approached Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji for help. He told them that they should tell the Emperor that if he could convert the Guru to Islam, they would all convert. The Guru then willingly traveled to Delhi, where he was arrested and subjected to severe torture. He refused to convert and was martyred on November 24, 1675, in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, along with his companions Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dayala.
His martyrdom is seen as a unique and unparalleled sacrifice in human history, as he gave his life not for his own faith but for the freedom of others to practice their religion. His son, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, later wrote about his father's sacrifice in the Bachittar Natak, stating that he sacrificed his life for the sake of dharma (righteousness) and to protect the sacred thread and the tilak (mark of Hindu faith).
The Parkash Gurpurab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm by Sikhs around the world. The day usually falls in the month of April or May, according to the Nanakshahi calendar. Devotees gather at Gurdwaras to offer prayers, recite Gurbani, and participate in processions (Nagar Kirtans). The Guru Granth Sahib is read continuously for 48 hours (Akhand Path), and langar (community meal) is served to all. The festival serves as a reminder of the Guru's teachings of compassion, courage, and standing up for justice and human rights.
His life and martyrdom continue to inspire millions to this day, and his Parkash Gurpurab is a time for reflection on his message of unity, equality, and the importance of protecting the rights of all individuals to practice their faith freely.