Nanakshahi Calendar 2023

ਨਾਨਕਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਸੰਮਤ 554 – 555 (Nanakshahi Year 554 – 555)

Nanakshahi Calendar is one of the newest calendars in the world. It has been created to refer to the historical dates belonging to Sikh History more accurately in comparison to Bikrami Samvat. Below is the Nanakshahi Calendar of CE 2023, which is Samvat 554 – 555. In each month, Poornima (Poornmashi), Amavas (Masya), and Sankranti (Sangrad) or spotted in different colors.

May 2023 brings with it a series of significant events for the Sikh community as per the Nanakshahi calendar, spanning the months of Vaisakh and Jeth.

Firstly, on May 4th, we commemorate the Parkash Sri Guru Amardas Ji, the third Sikh Guru who is revered for his teachings of selfless service, devotion, and equality.

Next, on May 5th, we observe Puranmashi, the full moon day of Vaisakh month which holds great spiritual significance for Sikhs, who gather to offer prayers and seek blessings.

On May 13th, we mark the Gurgaddi Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the sixth Sikh Guru who is remembered for his courage, strength, and leadership. His teachings emphasized the need to stand up against oppression and injustice, and his life was an embodiment of these ideals.

Furthermore, on May 15th, we celebrate Sangrand, the start of Jeth month, which marks the beginning of summer and the onset of the harvest season.

On May 19th, we observe Masya, the new moon day of Jeth month, which is a time for reflection and introspection, and an opportunity to seek spiritual growth and enlightenment.

Finally, on May 23rd, we pay tribute to the Shaheedi Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru who sacrificed his life to protect the principles of truth and justice. His life and teachings continue to inspire Sikhs all over the world to lead a life of devotion, selfless service, and compassion.

May these events serve as a reminder of the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the Sikh community and inspire us to uphold the values of love, peace, and unity.

Sikhs have several important days and festivals, known as Gurpurabs, which commemorate the birth or martyrdom of the Sikh Gurus and other important events in Sikh history. Some of the most significant Gurpurabs and festivals for Sikhs include:

1. Gurpurab of Guru Nanak: This is the most important Gurpurab, celebrating the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. It is celebrated on Kartik Purnima according to the Bikrami calendar (around November according to the Gregorian calendar).
2. Gurpurab of Guru Gobind Singh: This Gurpurab marks the birthday of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. It is celebrated on Poh Sankranti according to the Bikrami calendar (around January according to the Gregorian calendar)
3. Vaisakhi: This festival marks the founding of the Khalsa, the collective body of initiated Sikhs, by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. It is celebrated on April 14th (Baisakhi) according to the Gregorian calendar.
4. Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur: This Gurpurab marks the day of the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. It is celebrated on the day of Kartik Purnima according to the Bikrami calendar (around November according to the Gregorian calendar)
5. Hola Mohalla: This festival is celebrated the day after the festival of Holi and is a way for Sikhs to demonstrate their martial skills and participate in mock battles, poetry recitations, and religious debates.
6. Bandi Chhor Divas: This festival marks the release of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind from a Mughal prison in 1619. It is celebrated on the day of Diwali according to the Bikrami calendar.

These are some of the most significant festivals for Sikhs but there are many other Gurpurabs and festivals that are celebrated to commemorate the lives and teachings of the Sikh Gurus and other historical figures.

In Sikhism, days like Sankranti, Amavasya, Purnima, Panchami, or Dashmi are not considered to be particularly significant in terms of religious significance. Sikhism does not follow the Hindu lunar calendar or the practice of fasting on these days.

That being said, some of these days like Purnima and Sankranti are used to determine the dates of some of the Gurpurabs (Sikh Festivals) like the Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. But their significance is not based on the lunar calendar but on the historical events.

In Sikhism, the focus is on daily prayers and the remembrance of God rather than on specific days or calendar-based rituals. The Guru’s teachings encourage Sikhs to lead a moral and ethical life and to strive to achieve spiritual enlightenment, rather than to focus on the significance of particular days.