Birthday of Guru Har Rai: January 31
Birthday of Guru Har Rai is a religious observance for the Sikhism followers.
The Birthday of Guru Har Rai falls on January 31st, or on the 19th day of the Magh month on the Nanakshahi calendar followed by Sikhs to determine the dates of important Sikh events. Guru Har Rai was born on 1630 and died in 1661, he was the seventh of the Sikh Gurus.
History of Guru Har Rai
Guru Har Rai was the seventh of the 10 Sikh Gurus, he preceeded Guru Har Krishan, his son, and followed Guru Hargobind, his grandfather. Har Rai was born on February 26, 1630, as a child he demonstrated a great sensibility for all living things. Even though he continued the traditions of grand huntings from his grandfather, Har Raid prophibited the killing of animals and instead he wanted them to be captured and kept in a private zoo. He was the son of Baba Gurdita and Mata Nihal Kaur, married Mata Kishan Kaur and had two sons and one daughter.
Har Raid was a man of peace, even so he kept alive many of the traditions that came from the previous Gurus, he kept the armed Sikh Warriors, or Saint Soldiers, even if he never used them to enter any political or military confrontation. Emperor Shah Jahan had great enmity for Sikhs, and Guru Har Raid, and he also had four sons. His eldest son, who was to be next Emperor fell seriously ill and nobody knew why. The fact was that the younger son Aurangzeb had put tiger’s whisker in the food of the brother to kill him so that he could take the throne.
The Emperor finally found out what had happened and was told by his doctors that the cure was in some plants that could not be found in his kingdom, but that Guru Har Raid had them in his house. The Emperor, even though not happy about it, wrote a letter to Har Raid asking for the medicine plants. Har Raid was happy to see the humbleness in the letter and sent the plants to his enemy. He then said to his followers that were astonished with this, that one man breaks flowers with one hand while with the other offers flowers, and the flowers perfume both hands. So the Guru should also bless the hand that tries to kill him as the hand that came to him asking for help. He died at the early age of 31, on October 6, 1661.
Birthday of Guru Har Rai Traditions, Customs and Activities
Sikhs celebrate the Birthday of with readings from Guru Granth Sahib, Sikh’s Holy Scriptures. Gurdwaras, Sikh places of worship, are decorated with colorful flowers, images and flags. Communities of Sikhs join together to pray, sing and eat together. It is day to remember the peaceful mind and endeavors of Guru Har Rai, and a day for forgiveness as the Guru taught his disciples to forgive all those who would venture against them. Sikhs celebrate the remembrance of their Gurus in a very similar way, only changing the hymns and some passages that are read from the Guru Granth Sahib.
The celebration of the Birthdays of Sikhs Gurus lasts for 3 days, and on the birth anniversary there is the singing of the Asa di Var, morning hymns followed by the Katha, exposition of the scripture, there are lectures and poems are recited in praise of the Guru. The day ends with Rehras, evening prayers, and sometimes it is followed by a poetic symposium, a Kavi Darbar, where poets can praise the Guru with their own words.
Other interesting posts:
- Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh is a Sikh religious observance
- Birthday of Guru Har Gobind is a Sikh religious observance
- Birthday of Guru Nanak is a Sikh religious observance
- Birthday of Guru Tegh Bahadur is a Sikh religious observance
- Birthday of Guru Amar Das is a religious observance for the Sikhism followers
Other interesting posts:
- Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh is a Sikh religious observance
- Birthday of Guru Har Gobind is a Sikh religious observance
- Birthday of Guru Nanak is a Sikh religious observance
- Birthday of Guru Tegh Bahadur is a Sikh religious observance
- Birthday of Guru Amar Das is a religious observance for the Sikhism followers
