The word Gurpurab is made of two words ‘Guru’ + ‘Purab’ (derived from Parv in Hindi), so the literal meaning of the word Gurpurab is ‘day associated with Guru’. The Sikh festivals or important days associated with Sikh gurus are called as ‘Gurpurab’.
Gurpurabs are days when the anniversary of a Guru’s birth (Parkash Utsav), death (Jyoti-Jot) and Gurgadi diwas (succession) or other important day are observed; marked by the holding of a festival. Observance of these anniversaries is an important feature of the Sikh way of life. This practice has been promoted by all Gurus after Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Birthdays of some bhagats, whose teachings are included in Guru Granth Sahib ji, are also celebrated.
Shaheedi diwas (martyrdom day) of great martyrs:
Sikh history is full of martyrs, who laid down their lives for the great cause of humanity. Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Guru Teg Bahdar Ji, Char Sahibzade, Mata Gujjri Ji and a large number of Sikhs have sacrificed there lives for the good of mankind. Great historic events like Khalsa Sajna Diwas (Vaisakhi) are also given importance in the Sikh religion.
Namdhari Sikhs also commemorate Vasant Panchmi, the birth anniversary of Satguru Ram Singh, the so-ciao -impacting events by Satguru Ram Singh ji: the re-creation of the Khalsa Panth, the first Anand Karajs, the administration of Amrit to Women and the sacrifice of Namdhari Sikhs for the freedom and independence of India.