Gurgaddi Purab of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji: the letters from Lahore

The Gurgaddi Purab of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji remembers the day in 1581 when Sri Guru Ram Das Ji entrusted the Guruship to his youngest son at Goindwal Sahib, shortly before his own Joti Jot. Arjan Dev Ji was eighteen.

The letters from Lahore

Sikh tradition tells that Guru Ram Das Ji sent Arjan Dev Ji to Lahore to attend a family wedding and asked him to stay until called. Separated from his father for a long time, the young man wrote letters full of longing to see him. The first two were intercepted by his eldest brother, Prithi Chand, who kept them hidden. When the third letter reached the Guru, he called his son home and asked about the first two, and Prithi Chand's deceit came to light. These letters of longing are remembered as the Shabad Hazare, and many Sikhs recite them each day.

A Guruship met with patience

Prithi Chand never accepted the decision and worked against his younger brother for years, setting up a rival seat and trying to cut off the offerings of the sangat. Guru Arjan Dev Ji answered with patience. Over the next quarter of a century he completed Sri Harmandir Sahib, founded Tarn Taran and Kartarpur, compiled the Adi Granth in 1604 and gave the Sikhs a strong, organised community. In 1606 he became the first Sikh Guru to be martyred.

How the day is observed

Gurdwaras mark the day with kirtan and Ardas, and many Sikhs recite the Shabad Hazare and Sukhmani Sahib. Sangats gather at Goindwal Sahib, where the Guruship passed, and at Sri Harmandir Sahib.