Fairs and Festivals: Sikh Festival

Name of Festivals	Features
Gurpurab	Although Gurpurabs are celebrated for the birth anniversaries of all the 10 Sikh gurus, the most important are Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh. Other important Gurpurabs are to commemorate the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev and Guru Tegh Bahadur, who lost their lives to the Mughals.
Parkash Utsav Dasveh Patshah	This festival is celebrated on the birthday of the 10th Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
Maghi	It is the seasonal gathering of the Sikhs and it is celebrated annually. It is celebrated in Muktsar in the memory of forty Sikh martyrs (Chalis Mukte) who fought with the Mughals.
Hola Mohalla	Takes place in March on the second day of the lunar month Chett and is held in Anandpur Sahib. It was started by Guru Govind Singh for mock battles and military exercises followed by kirtan and other poetry competitions.
Vaisakhi/Baisakhi	It is a religious festival celebrated on 13 or 14 April every year. This festival is the celebration of the Sikh new year and the birthday of Khalsa Panth. This is the spring harvest festival for the Sikhs.
Lohri	This occasion is celebrated on 13 January in the month of Magh, a day before Makar Sankranti. It also signifies the victory of light over the darkness.
Sodal Mela	It is one of the main fairs of Punjab and it is organised to pay homage to Baba Sodal, a great soul.