Guru Har Rai Ji was the 7th Guru of the Sikh religion. Some Sikh literature writes his name as Hari Rai. Guru Har Rai Ji was a peaceful person. He loved animals and plants and saw God in every living thing.
When and where was Guru Har Rai born?
Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji was born in Kiratpur Sahib on 16 January 1630. He was the grandson of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji and the son of Baba Gurdita Ji. His mother’s name was Mata Nihal Kaur. Guru Ji was married to Sulakhni Ji, also referred to as Mata Krishan Kaur Ji in some Sikh sources. They had two sons: Baba Ram Rai Ji and Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji. They also had a daughter named Bibi Roop Kaur.
When is Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji’s Prakash Purab, Gurgaddi and Joti Jot celebrated in 2026?
| Event | Date 2026 |
|---|---|
| ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਗੁਰਪੁਰਬ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿਰਾਇ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ | 31 January 2026 |
| ਗੁਰਿਆਈ ਦਿਵਸ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿਰਾਇ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ | 17 March 2026 |
| ਜੋਤੀ-ਜੋਤਿ ਦਿਵਸ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿਰਾਇ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ | 3 November 2026 |
When did Guru Har Rai become a Sikh Guru and take Guruship?
At the age of 14, Guru Har Rai received Gurgaddi in 1644. He led the Sikhs until the age of 31, and until his death, for about seventeen years. Guru Har Rai Ji did not contribute any Gurbani, which means he did not write Gurbani but spread the teachings of the previous Gurus in all regions. Sikh community celebrates World Sikh Environment Day on 14 March, which coincides with his Gurgaddi Diwas.
How was the childhood of Guru Har Rai Ji?
Guru Har Rai was a kind person from childhood. Har Rai Ji loved nature, animals, and birds. Guru Ji loved horse riding, wandering in forests, and living a spiritual life.
How did Guru Har Rai Ji spread Sikhism and other roles for the community?
Guru Ji continued his grandfather’s saint-soldier tradition. He protected forests and established a large herbal garden in Kiratpur. Guru Har Rai Ji gave importance to the use of Ayurvedic medicine, so free treatment for the poor was provided in the hospital at Kiratpur Sahib. Guru Ji promoted Gurmukhi, humility, mercy, truth, selfless service, love for nature, and belief in one God. Guru Ji also prepared a small but well-organized army, which was always ready. But Guru Har Rai Ji never fought any battle. Guru Ji always encouraged the military spirit of the Sikhs. Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji also worked on Sikh educational institutions and langar, and made the Sikhs stronger. This further spread the recitation tradition of Guru Granth Sahib, compiled by Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Guru Har Rai Ji visited Malwa, Doaba, and other regions during his life journey. Many people were inspired by Guru Ji’s teachings and thoughts and adopted the Sikh religion.
Why did Guru Ji not give Gurgaddi to his son Ram Rai?
Guru Har Rai Ji did not make his son the next Sikh Guru because Ram Rai went to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and did not explain the true meaning of the Gurbani. He changed the verse to please Aurangzeb, after which Guru Ji said, “Ram Rai, you have committed a sin by disobeying Gurbani. Because of this mistake of yours, I will never see you again.”
When did Guru Har Rai pass away (Jot-Jot)?
Before merging into divine light and Joti-Jot, Guru Har Krishan Ji was given Gurgaddi, which was his younger son. Guru Har Rai Ji merged into Joti-Jot in 1661. He was well known for his love of nature, kindness, humanitarian work, and peaceful spreading of Sikh teachings.