This year on September 12, Sikhs remember the GurGaddi – the day Guru Angad Dev Ji was formally installed as the second Guru of the Sikhs. It’s a quiet, powerful occasion: not a flashy festival, but a chance to pause, listen, and recommit to the simple teachings of service, humility, and steady devotion that Guru Angad embodied.
Who was Guru Angad Dev Ji?
Born as Lehna, Guru Angad Dev Ji became a devoted disciple of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and was chosen to carry the Guru’s message forward. He is remembered for his humility and tireless service, for strengthening the early Sikh community, and for practical contributions that shaped Sikh life – most famously popularizing and refining the Gurmukhi script so that the Gurbani could be written and read by people in the Punjabi language. In countless small ways, he helped turn spiritual ideals into everyday practice.
What GurGaddi Diwas feels like
On this day, gurdwaras fill with kirtan and prayer, but the overall tone is gentle and reflective. The focus is on listening to the Guru’s word, singing hymns, and serving one another. You’ll hear stories about Guru Angad Ji’s kindness, see volunteers in the langar kitchen, and notice older sangat quietly teaching children short shabads or basic lines of Gurmukhi script. It’s a day that rewards patience and presence more than spectacle.
Humility in leadership: Guru Angad led by example, showing that real authority comes from serving others. Consider what humility looks like in your own life.
Education and accessibility: The adoption and spread of Gurmukhi made sacred teachings accessible to ordinary people. Think about how learning – even small daily study – builds stronger communities.
Seva as prayer: For Guru Angad, service wasn’t an add-on; it was prayer in action. Helping in the kitchen or clearing a path for an elderly person are simple forms of devotion.
If you can visit a gurdwara: arrive early, cover your head, and be ready to sit and listen. Offer a few hours of seva in the langar – peeling vegetables, washing dishes, serving food – these small acts are at the heart of the day. If you can’t attend in person, tune into a live kirtan or hukamnama stream, read a short passage from the Guru Granth Sahib, or quietly reflect on one teaching of the Guru.
Tips for visitors
Dress modestly and bring a scarf or chuni to cover your head.
Mornings are usually calmer; evenings can be fuller.
If you want to help in langar, speak with volunteers when you arrive – many gurdwaras welcome newcomers.
Keep phones on silent and be mindful of the quiet contemplation happening around you.
