Nanakshahi Calendar (Sikh Calendar) with Gurpurabs and Sikh Holidays

If you want to find month names, dates, and Gurpurabs from the Nanakshahi calendar and Gregorian calendar (English calendar), along with the Nanakshahi calendar. In that case, you are in the right place. We provide the Nanakshahi calendar in a way that corresponds with the English calendar so that the user can find any Nanakshahi Calendar month name and date, as well as Gurpurabs and Sikh holidays along with the Gregorian calendar month name and date. You can also find out Today’s Desi month date and the Gurpurab dates and Sangrand dates for the Current year.

What is the Nanakshahi calendar?

Nanakshahi calendar

The Nanakshahi calendar is a tropical solar calendar used by Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus. This calendar has twelve months, also known as “Barah Mahinay” or “Barah Mah” in Punjabi. The year begins with the Month of “Chet”, with the First of Chet corresponding to March 14. This calendar starts counting years from when the Guru Nanak Dev was born in 1469 CE.

This year is the starting point or reference for this calendar. The first year of this calendar represents the year of Guru Nanak’s birth (1469 CE). For example, April 2024 CE is Nanakshahi 556. This calendar was approved by “Akl Takht” in 2003. The Nanakshahi calendar is associated with the Sikh community. It is used to find out important dates related to the Sikh gurus, who are known as Gurpurabs.

Features of the Nanakshahi calendar 

  • This calendar is based on a tropical year length approximately 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 45 seconds long.
  • It follows a simple rule: the first five months should be 31 days each, and the last seven months should be 30 days each.
  • Includes leap year rule.
  • Sangrands’ dates are fixed in the Common Era.
  • Maintaining a permanent relationship between seasons and months, Gurpurbs occur once yearly, according to both Nanakshahi and Common Era calendars.
  • No “unclean” months; Gurpurbs are fixed according to solar dates rather than lunar dates.
  • In summary, the Bikrami calendar is complex, based on lunar calculations, and lacks fixed rules. In contrast, the Nanakshahi calendar offers a more straightforward, standardized approach that aligns with solar calculations and maintains consistency in Gurpurb dates.

Months in the Nanakshahi Calendar

No.NamePunjabiDaysGregorian Months
1Chetਚੇਤ31March 14 – April 13
2Vaisakhਵੈਸਾਖ31April 14 – May 14
3Jethਜੇਠ31May 15 – June 14
4Harhਹਾੜ31June 15 – July 15
5Sawanਸਾਵਣ31July 16 – August 15
6Bhadonਭਾਦੋਂ30August 16 – September 14
7Assuਅੱਸੂ30September 15 – October 14
8Kattakਕੱਤਕ30October 15 – November 13
9Magharਮੱਘਰ30November 14 – December 13
10Pohਪੋਹ30December 14 – January 12
11Maghਮਾਘ30January 13 – February 11
12Phagganਫੱਗਣ30/31February 12 – March 13

Important Events and Festivals 

The Nanakshahi calendar provides important dates for various sikh festivals and events such as Gurpurabs, Sangrand, Masya, Purnamashi, Panchami, and Dashmi. For example,

  • Guru Har Rai’s Gurpurab: 1 Chet (March 14)
  • Guru Hargobind’s merging with the Creator: 6 Chet (March 19)
  • Birth of Guru Nanak (Vaisakhi Date): 1 Vaisakh (April 14)

Controversy related to The Nanakshahi calendar 

  • The Nanakshahi Calendar has caused arguments due to changes over the years.
  • In 2010, changes were made, causing disagreement.
  • In 2014, the SGPC switched back to the Bikrami calendar.
  • People debate which version of the calendar to use.
  • The original Nanakshahi Calendar from 1999 aims to show Sikh history and identity accurately.
  • It’s getting more support worldwide despite challenges.
  • The calendar is made for Sikhs around the world.
  • It was officially started in 1999.
  • It was developed by many people working together.
  • Sikhs use this calendar for religious events and the regular calendar for other things.
  • Many scholars and groups helped make the Nanakshahi Calendar.
  • It helps Sikhs have their own identity, like other religions.
  • Many steps were taken to decide to use this calendar.
  • They talked to many people and had meetings before deciding.
  • They told people about the calendar through articles and posters at essential places.
  • The name “Nanakshahi” is important to Sikhs.
  • The calendar fixes dates based on science and adjusts for leap years and seasons.

Difference between the Nanakshahi calendar and Gregorian Calendar

The Nanakshahi calendar is not a copy of the Common Era (CE) or Gregorian calendar. It has unique characteristics, scientific principles, Gurbani, and cultural identity. The following are the main reasons why it differs from the Gregorian Calendar and is essential for Sikhs and the Punjabi community.

Unique Characteristics 

The Nanakshahi calendar is based on the length of the Tropical year and is different from the Gregorian calendar because it has the same number of days in each Month; in the Nanakshahi calendar, the first five months have 31 days, and the last seven months have 30 days each. It is because the first five months cover the more extended time from spring to autumn, and when there is a leap year, which comes every few years, an extra day is added at the end of the year to keep everything in line. This calendar is designed to match the seasons closely so the months always stay in the right season.

Origin and Development of the CE Calendar

CE calendar, known as the Julian calendar, was reformed by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE. It was based on the length of the solar year. The Gregorian calendar replaces this calendar. Now, the Gregorian calendar is widely used worldwide. The CE calendar’s starting date has no direct correlation with the birth of Christ or any other event from his life. It was gradually adopted and implemented globally.

Cultural identity and adoption of the Nanakshahi Calendar

The Nanakshahi calendar is like a book that tells Sikhs when to celebrate essential events; therefore, it is also known as the “Jantri”, which means denoting various systems or records of timekeeping and scheduling. This calendar is a part of their cultural identity and makes them unique and different from others. It helps them to feel close to their religion and heritage. This calendar makes it easier for them to remember Important dates like Gurpurabs, Sangrand, Masya, Puranmashi, Panchami, Dashmi, etc.

List of all Gurpurabs in 2024-2025

English month Date GurpurabsPunjabi month date
17-Jan-2024Prakash Gurpurab Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji04 Magh 555
22-Feb-2024Prakash Gurpurab Sri Guru Harirai Sahib ji10 Phagun 555
07-Apr-2024Gurgaddi Gurpurab Sri Guru Harirai Sahib ji25 Chet 556
09-Apr-2024Gurgaddi Gurpurab Sri Guru Amardas ji27 Chet 556
12-Apr-2024Jyoti jyot Gurpurab Sri Guru Angad Dev ji30 Chet 556
13-Apr-2024Jyoti jyot Gurpurab Sri Guru Harigobind Sahib ji01 Vaisakh 556
22-Apr-2024Gurgaddi Gurpurab Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji,
Jyoti jyot Gurpurab Sri Guru Harikrishan Sahib ji 		10 Vaisakh 556
29-Apr-2024Prakash Gurpurab Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji 17 Vaisakh 556
30-Apr-2024Prakash Gurpurab Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji18 Vaisakh 556
09-May-2024Prakash Gurpurab Sri Guru Angad Dev ji27 Vaisakh 556
22-May-2024Prakash Gurpurab Sri Guru Amardas ji09 Jeth 556
31-May-2024Gurgaddi Gurpurab Sri Guru Harigobind Sahib ji18 Jeth 556
10-Jun-2024Jyoti jyot Gurpurab Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji28 Jeth 556
22-Jun-2024Prakash Gurpurab Sri Guru Harigobind Sahib ji 09 Harh 556
29-Jul-2024Prakash Gurpurab Sri Guru Harikrishan Sahib ji14 Sawan 556
04-Sep-2024Pehla Prakash Gurpurab Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji20 Bhadon 556
05-Sep-2024Gurgaddi Gurpurab Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji21 Bhadon 556
06-Sep-2024Jyoti jyot Gurpurab Sri Guru Ramdas ji22 Bhadon 556
16-Sep-2024Gurgaddi Gurpurab Sri Guru Ramdas ji01 Assu 556
18-Sep-2024Jyoti jyot Gurpurab Sri Guru Amardas ji03 Assu 556
22-Sep-2024Gurgaddi Gurpurab Sri Guru Angad Dev ji07 Assu 556
27-Sep-2024Jyoti jyot Gurpurab Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji12 Assu 556
19-Oct-2024Prakash Gurpurab Sri Guru Ramdas ji03 Katak 556
25-Oct-2024Jyoti jyot Gurpurab Sri Guru Harirai Sahib ji,
Gurgaddi Gurpurab Sri Guru Harikrishan Sahib ji		09 Katak 556
03-Nov-2024Gurgaddi Gurpurab Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji18 Katak 556
06-Nov-2024Jyoti jyot Gurpurab Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji21 Katak 556
15-Nov-2024Prakash Gurpurab Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji30 Katak 556
04-Dec-2024Gurgaddi Gurpurab Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji 19 Maghar 556
06-Dec-2024Jyoti jyot Gurpurab Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji21 Maghar 556
06-Jan-2025Prakash Gurpurab Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji 23 Poh 556
10-Feb-2025Prakash Gurpurab Sri Guru Harirai ji28 Magh 556
Gurpurabs Dates 2024-2025

Conclusion

The Nanakshahi calendar is a simple way for Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus to remember important dates and festivals. It starts from Guru Nanak Dev’s birth year and helps people celebrate their heritage and religion. This calendar is easy to use and follows the seasons closely. It’s different from the regular calendar but helps Sikhs feel close to their culture and traditions.