'Shabeel' (ਛਬੀਲ), often also written as ‘Chabeel’, is a Punjabi word referring to a sweet, cool, drink made with sugar, milk, ice and water. It is often sweetened with pink fruit flavor to add color and taste. This drink is meant to cool down, hydrate and energize the body on hot summer days
Traditionally, in India, Sikhs offer shabeel to the general public on hot days, especially between May and June, when Sikhs remember the martyrdom of their fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev.
The fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev, became the first Sikh martyr in 1606 after He refused to change the Sikh scriptures as ordered by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, in an effort to curtail the Guru’s growing influence in India. When Guru Arjan Dev refused, He was tortured by being made to sit on a red hot plate, whilst hot sand was poured over him.
Instead of remembering this event through mourning, the Guru taught the Sikhs to accept God’s will as sweet. Sikhs have taken this message to heart and changed this negative event into a positive one by turning an attack upon them into a chance to serve others. Instead of grieving each year, Sikhs honor the Guru’s burning by cooling everyone else.
Shabeel is offered free of cost to everyone indiscriminately, without prejudice, as a way to honor the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev.
Traditionally, in India, Sikhs offer shabeel to the general public on hot days, especially between May and June, when Sikhs remember the martyrdom of their fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev.
The fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev, became the first Sikh martyr in 1606 after He refused to change the Sikh scriptures as ordered by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, in an effort to curtail the Guru’s growing influence in India. When Guru Arjan Dev refused, He was tortured by being made to sit on a red hot plate, whilst hot sand was poured over him.
Instead of remembering this event through mourning, the Guru taught the Sikhs to accept God’s will as sweet. Sikhs have taken this message to heart and changed this negative event into a positive one by turning an attack upon them into a chance to serve others. Instead of grieving each year, Sikhs honor the Guru’s burning by cooling everyone else.
Shabeel is offered free of cost to everyone indiscriminately, without prejudice, as a way to honor the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev.