Page 99 - BAALVARDI TEACHER RESOURCE

Guru Har Rai Ji Gurpurab Celebration
& Sikh Environment Day

Sikh Environment Day is celebrated in honor of Guru Har Rai Ji’s Gurgaddi
Divas.

A. Share the following points with the students:
• Guru Har Rai Ji, our 7th Guru Sahib, was the grandson of Guru Hargobind
Ji and the great-grandson of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
• He was known for his extreme compassion towards all living things and
maintained his own animal sanctuary.
• Additionally, he developed Kiratpur Sahib as a town adorned with parks and

gardens, planting numerous fruit trees and flowers.

B. To commence the class, begin with circle time and introduce the significance
of this day. Share the sakhi (story) of Guru Har Rai Ji, and utilize coloring
pages to help students visualize the narrative.

C. Initiate a discussion centered around Sikh Environment Day, emphasizing the

importance of respecting and caring for nature. Share a verse from Gurbani:
'Pauṇ Gurū Pāṇī Piṯā Māṯā Dẖaraṯ Mahaṯ,' and encourage students to
repeat the line. The verse describes the air as the Guru, water as the Father
and the earth as the mother, urging us to respect these elements.

D. Highlight that all our Gurus respected the Earth profoundly, teaching us to live
with kindness and to recognize Vaheguru in everything around us. Just as we
love Vaheguru, we must extend our love and respect to all of Vaheguru Ji’s
creations.

E. To commemorate Sikh Environment Day, engage the students in a special
activity. Here are a few ideas:
• The students may help with Gurdwara grounds clean-up.
• Plant a garden on Gurdwara grounds if permitted.
• Bring small pots, seeds and soil to class and have the students pot a plant.
Discuss how the students should water and take care of the plant once they

take it home.

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