Guru Har Rai

Guru Har Rai

Guru Har Rai (1630–1661) revered as the seventh Nanak, was the seventh of the ten Gurus of the Sikh religion. He became the Sikh Guru at the age of 14, on 3 March 1644, after the death of his grandfather and the sixth Sikh leader Guru Hargobind.

He guided the Sikhs for about seventeen years, till his death at age 31.

Guru Har Rai is notable for maintaining the large army of Sikh soldiers that the sixth Sikh Guru had amassed, yet avoiding military conflict.

He started several public singing and scripture recital traditions in Sikhism. The katha or discourse style recitals were added by Guru Har Rai to the sabad kirtan singing tradition of Sikhs.

Authentic literature about Guru Har Rai life and times are scarce, he left no texts of his own.

Later years

Before his death he appointed his 5-year-old youngest son Har Krishan as the eighth Guru of the Sikhs.

Historical Gurdwaras

Gurdwara Kiratpur Sahib (birth place)

Gurdwara Kiratpur Sahib (passed away)