Gurpurb

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | 700+ words | Copyright

Gurpurb (Pañjābī, ‘rising of a Gurū’). Sikh festival associated with an event in the Gurūs' lives. The dates of Gurpurbs vary within twenty-eight days as they are lunar. In Britain, most gurdwārās celebrate Gurpurbs on the Sunday nearest the actual day. The most important Gurpurbs are Gurū Nānak's birthday, celebrated on the full moon of Kārttika (Oct.-Nov.), Gurū Gobind Siṅgh's birthday, celebrated in Pauṣa (Dec.-Jan.), and the martyrdoms (śahīd din) of Gurū Arjan Dev and Gurū Tegh Bahādur, observed respectively in Jyaiṣṭha (May-June) and Mārgaśīrsa (Nov.-Dec.). The martyrdoms of the Sāhibzāde are commemorated in Pauṣa. Many Gurpurbs are observed only or chiefly at the site of the original event–e.g. the birthday of Gurū Har Krishan at Delhi (July) and the anniversary of the installation of the Gurū Granth Sāhib (Ādi Granth) at Amritsar (Sept.).

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JOHN BOWKER. "Gurpurb." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Gurpurb." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Gurpurb.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Gurpurb." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Gurpurb.html

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