Guru Arjan Dev Ji Shaheedi Diwas 2023: Date, history & significance

Guru Arjan Dev Ji Martyrdom Day: Guru Arjan Dev Ji was the fifth of the ten Sikh Gurus and and the first martyr of the Sikh faith. 

Guru Arjan Dev Ji Shaheedi Diwas is observed to commemorate the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru of Sikhism. The event holds historical and religious significance for Sikhs around the world. 

Guru Arjan Dev Ji Shaheedi Diwas 2023: Date

The Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji is being observed today, May 23.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji Shaheedi Diwas 2023: History 

Guru Arjan Dev Ji was born in 1563 in Goindval of Tarn Taran district and he was executed on the orders of Mughal emperor Jahangir becoming the first martyr of the Sikh religion. It is said that the Mughals feared his increasing influence in northern India and the spread of Sikhism.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji was martyred on June 16, 1606. In the Hindu calendar, Shaheedi Diwas or the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev is observed on Jeth Sudi 4 which falls on May 23 this year.

He became the first Sikh Guru to sacrifice his life for the principles of truth, justice, and religious freedom.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji Shaheedi Diwas 2023: Significance

Guru Arjan Dev Ji's martyrdom holds immense significance for Sikhs. His sacrifice symbolizes the resilience and unwavering commitment to Sikh principles, including equality, social justice, and religious freedom. Guru Arjan Dev Ji's teachings and writings, present in the Adi Granth, continue to guide and inspire Sikhs to this day. His martyrdom also played a crucial role in shaping the Sikh community's identity and their struggle against oppression throughout history.

Guru Arjan Dev Ji Shaheedi Diwas 2023: Observance 

On this day, Sikhs gather at Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) to offer prayers, participate in kirtan (devotional singing), and listen to religious discourses. The day serves as a reminder of the values and principles upheld by Guru Arjan Dev Ji and encourage Sikhs to live their lives in accordance with those teachings.

Is it government holidays on May 23, May 24 in Haryana? 

Yes, Haryana government declared that May 23 and May 24 will be observed as restricted holidays in all the government departments, boards, corporations and educational Institutions in the State on account of Guru Arjan Dev's Martyrdom Day and Maharishi Kashyap Jayant, said the Official Twitter handle of Information, Public Relations of the Haryana government.