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.

In December 2023 Nanakshahi calendar marks the following events of great historical significance in Sikh history

1. Gurgaddi Diwas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Sikhs celebrate December 15th, the day when the 9th Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur bestowed the Guruship upon Guru Gobind Singh.
2. 2 Days Later, on December 17, the Sikh community remembers the Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and his sacrifice for religious freedom.
3. The 23rd December of the year is a day that remembers the Shaheedi of Vadde Sahibzaade at the Chamkaur Sahib.
4. Lastly, the Shaheedi Diwas of the Chhote Sahibzaade at Sarhind, which honors the martyrdom of the young sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, is also observed on December 28.

May 2023 -  as per the Nanakshahi calendar, the months of Vaisakh and Jeth.

On May 4th, we commemorate the Parkash Sri Guru Amardas Ji, the third Sikh Guru.

On May 13th, we mark the Gurgaddi Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the sixth Sikh Guru who is remembered for initiating Sikhism into military practices.

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.

In June 2023, the Sikh community will commemorate two significant events related to the life and teachings of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the sixth Guru of Sikhism.

On 5th June 2023, Sikhs will celebrate Parkash Purab Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. This day marks the birth anniversary of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji who emphasized the principle of Miri-Piri i.e. importance of both spiritual and temporal aspects of life.

Miri Piri Diwas Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, observed on 28th June.

On 9th July 2023, we remember Bhai Mani Singh Ji on his Shaheedi Purab, who sacrificed his life for the principles of Sikhism.

The birth anniversary of Bala Pritam Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji, the eighth Guru of the Sikhs will be observed on 11th July 2023.

Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji is known for his selfless service and healing powers.

16th July 2023, we remember the martyrdom of Bhai Taru Singh Ji who faced severe torture but remained steadfast in his faith and refused to cut his hair, instead accepting to chop off his head.

31st July 2023, is Shaheedi day of Sardar Udham Singh - a freedom fighter who sought justice for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

30.08.2023

“Guru Granth Sahib Sampuranta Divas” marks the completion of the holy scripture of Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib. Compiled by Guru Arjan Dev, the book was taken to Sri Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar on August 16, 1604. Later due to family issues with Dhirmal, Guru Gobind Singh Ji completed the Guru Granth Sahib by adding Bani of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The completion date is celebrated annually as Guru Granth Sahib Sampuranta Divas.

1. Gurgaddi Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji (3 October 2023): This day marks the installation of Guru Angad Dev Ji as the second Sikh Guru, succeeding Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
2. Jod Mela Bir Baba Budha Sahib Ji (7-8 October 2023): Jod Mela is a celebration held at Baba Budha Sahib Ji's shrine, a prominent Sikh historical figure who served as the first head granthi (custodian) of the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
3. Joti Jot Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (9 October 2023): This is the anniversary of the passing away (Joti Jot) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. It is a day of reflection and remembrance.
4. Masya (ਮੱਸਿਆ) (14 October 2023): Masya is the night when the moon is at its darkest phase.
5. Sangrand (ਸੰਗ੍ਰਾਂਦ) (17 October 2023): Sangrand marks the beginning of a new month in the Sikh calendar. It is a time for special prayers and gatherings.
6. Janam Baba Budha Sahib Ji, Kathu Nangal (23 October 2023): This day commemorates the birth anniversary of Baba Budha Sahib Ji, a revered Sikh figure known for his close association with the Gurus.
7. Puranmashi (ਪੂਰਨਮਾਸ਼ੀ) (28 October 2023): Puranmashi is the full moon day.
8. Parkash Sri Guru Ramdas Ji (30 October 2023): This day celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Ramdas Ji, the fourth Sikh Guru, known for his contributions to Sikh scripture and the establishment of the city of Amritsar.

1. On November 6, 2023, Sikhs will obsеrvе "Joti Jot Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji, " which marks thе day whеn Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji, thе sеvеnth Sikh Guru, mеrgеd with thе divinе light.
2. This samе day, November 6, 2023, is also significant as it marks thе "Gurgaddi Sri Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji. " This еvеnt cеlеbratеs thе appointmеnt of Guru Harkrishan Sahib Ji as thе еighth Sikh Guru.
3. Diwali & Bandi Chhor Divas, obsеrvеd on November 12, 2023, is a day of grеat joy and significance in thе Sikh calеndar. Sikhs cеlеbratе Diwali, thе fеstival of lights, and Bandi Chhor Divas, which marks thе rеlеasе of Guru Hargobind Ji and 52 othеr kings from imprisonmеnt.
4. Novеmbеr 15, 2023, holds a special place as it marks thе "Gurgaddi Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji" in Nandеd. This day commеmoratеs thе formal installation of thе Guru Granth Sahib, thе holy scripturе, as thе еtеrnal Guru of thе Sikhs.
5. Thе samе day, Novеmbеr 15, 2023, also marks thе "Shahееdi Baba Dееp Singh Ji Shahееd, " in honor of thе rеvеrеd Sikh warrior Baba Dееp Singh Ji who madе grеat sacrificеs for Sikhism.
6. On November 16, 2023, Sikhs will cеlеbratе "Sangrand, " which is the first day of Maghar Month.
7. Novеmbеr 18, 2023, is obsеrvеd as "Joti Jot Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, " commеmorating thе mеrging of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's divinе light with thе еtеrnal light.
8. Novеmbеr 23, 2023, is dеdicatеd to cеlеbrating "Janam Bhagat Namdеv Ji, " thе birth annivеrsary of Bhagat Namdеv Ji, a prominеnt Sikh saint and poеt.
9. Finally, on November 27, 2023, Sikhs will cеlеbratе "Parkash Sri Guru Nanak Dеv Ji" and "Puranmashi. " Thе formеr commеmoratеs thе birth of Guru Nanak Dеv Ji, thе foundеr of Sikhism, and thе lattеr marks thе full moon in thе Sikh calеndar.

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.