On this day Sikhs in Canada, India and around the world celebrate Maghi. This is a holy day for Sikhs in honour of the Chali Mukte, the “Forty Liberated Ones,” who died in defence of the 10th Guru of the Sikh Faith, Guru Gobind Singh. In 2023 Maghi is celebrated on Sunday, January 14.
For more information on Sikhism, check out some of the following links:
On January 5, Sikhs in Canada and around the world celebrate Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, a chance to observe and celebrate the birth of Guru Gobind Singh. The Guru was born in 1666 in Patna, India. He was the 10th and last of the (human) Gurus of Sikhism. He established the Khalsa, the organization of men and women baptized into the Sikh faith. He also established the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism, as the final Guru for the Sikh people.
For more on Guru Gobind Singh and the Sikh faith, check out:
The founder of the Sikh religion, Guru Nanak, was born in 1469 in the north-west of India, (what is now Pakistan.) He would go on to become the first of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism. In 2022 the celebration of the birth of Guru Nanak is November 8. The day is also referred to as Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav and Guru Nanak Jayanti.
Most Canadians of Indian heritage who live in Canada are Sikhs, including many students at Lord Tweedsmuir, and communities throughout Surrey and Greater Vancouver. If you are not Sikh, learn more about Guru Nanak, Sikhism, and the Sikh community. What a great way to better understand your friends, neighbours and fellow Canadians.
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Happy Diwali and Bandi Chor Divas
‘Tuhanu Diwali diyan boht both vadhaiyan’
Diwali is celebrated by millions of people in India, Canada and around the world. Hundreds of millions of Hindus celebrate “the Festival of Lights.” People of other faiths, including Sikhism, also celebrate.
For Sikhs the festival has added significance as it generally coincides with a Sikh celebration known as Bandi Chhor Divas. In 2022 this takes place on October 24.
Many people will celebrate a five day festival from October 22 to 26 in 2022, with the main celebration of Diwali on October 24. However, it may be celebrated at different times, and in different ways, by various groups in India, South Asia, and in the Indian diaspora.
Diwali may also be rendered as Deepavali or Divali.
For more information on Diwali, check out:
Happy Vaisakhi! May your day be glorious, full of joy and happiness.
Tuhāḍā dina śānadāra, khuśī’āṁ atē khuśī’āṁ bhari’ā hōvē.
ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਦਿਨ ਸ਼ਾਨਦਾਰ, ਖੁਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਖੁਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਭਰਿਆ ਹੋਵੇ।
We are celebrating Sikh Heritage Month in your School Library. Be sure to visit us to find out more.
April 14 is Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi is a major festival on the Sikh calendar, and one of the most important days of the year. Sikhs in Canada, India, and around the world will celebrate the founding of the Khalsa, or the worldwide body of Sikhs, as established by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
Vaisakhi was traditionally a spring harvest festival, and for some, a New Year’s Day. All across northern India, particularly in the Punjab, many different groups will celebrate Vaisakhi for these various reasons, including Hindus and other non-Sikhs.
The overwhelming majority of Indo-Canadians ( people of South Asian origin) in our school and in our neighbourhoods are Sikhs. As such, Vaisakhi is a major holiday in these parts and a significant event that is coming up in just a few days.
Join with us in your School Library as we celebrate Sikh Heritage Month by learning more about Vaisakhi and other aspects of Sikh culture and history.
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Come down to the School Library and check out our display of books related to Sikhs and Sikhism. Join with us as we celebrate Sikh Heritage Month in Canada.
April is Sikh Heritage Month in Canada
Visit us this month in the School Library as we celebrate Sikh Heritage Month. Find out more about Sikhs, Sikhism and the history of the Sikh people in Canada. Visit us in person to check out our display of books and DVDs, and visit us online to learn more about Sikh Heritage Month.
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Sikhs in Canada, India and around the world observe this day in memory of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth of the ‘Ten Gurus’ of Sikhism.
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‘Tuhanu Diwali diyan boht both vadhaiyan’
Diwali is celebrated by millions of people in India, Canada and around the world. Hundreds of millions of Hindus celebrate “the Festival of Lights.” People of other faiths, including Sikhism, also celebrate.
For Sikhs the festival has added significance as it generally coincides with a Sikh celebration known as Bandi Chhor Divas.
Many people will celebrate a five day festival from November 2 to 7 in 2021, with the main celebration of Diwali on November 4. However, it may be celebrated at different times, and in different ways, by various groups in India and in the Indian diaspora.
Diwali may also be rendered as Deepavali or Divali.
For more information on Diwali, check out:
Sikhs in Canada and around the world celebrate Vaisakhi. Since 1699 Vaisakhi has been a central Holy Day for Sikhs, who celebrate the establishment of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh, the last of the “Ten Gurus” of Sikhism.
The majority of Canadians who trace family connections to India are part of the Sikh faith, although Hinduism is the majority religion of India. Hindus in Canada and around the world also celebrate Vaisakhi. Also rendered Baisakhi, the holiday has long been observed by Hindus as the celebration of the solar New Year, and a harvest festival, for the people of the Punjab and other regions of north-west India. In fact Indians and people of Indian heritage from many faiths, including Muslims, Christians and even non-religious people, as well as Sikhs and Hindus, celebrate Vaisakhi.
Vaisakhi is generally celebrated on April 13 or 14, although some sources also suggest April 15 for 2021. Vaisakhi Parades in Canada are traditionally held on the nearest Saturday.
Vaisakhi parades and other gatherings and festivals have long been a highlight of the year for the Sikh communities of Surrey, Vancouver and other parts of Canada. Sadly, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of Vaisakhi parades in 2021.
For more on Vaisakhi:
Sikhs in Canada and around the world observe the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh who was born in 1666 in Patna, India. He was the 10th and last of the (human) Gurus of Sikhism. He established the Khalsa, the organization of men and women baptized into the Sikh faith. He also established the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism, as the final Guru for the Sikh people. For more on Guru Gobind Singh and the Sikh faith, check out some of the following links:
Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library 
