Calendar Events

Special occasions when Sikhs visit Gurdwaras and historical, holy places.

In total, around 50 Sikh celebrations and commemorations include guru births (Parkash Utsavs), the passing of guruship (Gurgadi Divas), and deaths (Jyotijot Divas). Multi-day events attract vast crowds, especially in India and Pakistan.

January

5

Parkash Utsav Dasmeh Patshah Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji BIRTHDAY

Birth of Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th guru). Translation: ‘birth celebration of the 10th Divine Light’.  Patna Sahib
14

Shaheedi Jor Maghi Mela (Mela Maghi) FESTIVAL

Commemorates the 40 Martyrs (Muktas) who fought in the Battle of Muktsar.
Sri Muktsar Sahib

March

14

Sikh New Year CELEBRATION (13/14)

Beginning of the Sikh new year, according to the Nanakshahi Calendar.
15

Hola Mohalla FESTIVAL

Guru Gobind Singh’s warrior events were military exercises and mock battles, followed by kirtan and valour poetry competitions. Today one sees swordsmanship, Gatka (martial arts), horse riding, and falconry. Anandpur Sahib 

April

16

Vaisakhi CELEBRATION

Birth of the Khalsa brotherhood, the day in 1699 on which Sikhs were given a clear identity and a code of conduct. Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th guru), baptised the first Sikhs using sweet nectar called Amrit. Keshgarh Sahib Gurudwara, Anandpur Sahib

June

16

Martyrdom of Guru Arjan COMMEMORATION

Guru Arjan (the 5th Guru) was tortured to death under the orders of Mughal Emperor, Jahangir, on 25 May 1606. Today honours the humble Guru who accepted his torture as a will of God (Waheguru). Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore

September

1

Pahila Prakash Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji ANNIVERSARY

The Sikhs’ holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, was bestowed with the title of being the eternal and final Sikh guru, thus ending the line of Human gurus. Its first Parkash (reading) took place inside the Darbaar Sahib in 1604. Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar

October

27

Bandi Chhor Divas CELEBRATION

The release from prison of Guru Hargobind (the 6th guru), when held captive by Mughal Emperor Jehangir at Gwalior Fort in 1619. The ‘celebration of freedom’ expressed with lights, candles an divas. Harmandir Sahib (lights)

November

15

Guru Nanak Gurpurab BIRTHDAY 13/14/15

Birth of Guru Nanak (the 1st guru). Two days prior, ‘Akhand Path’, a non-stop reading of the holy book (Guru Granth Sahib Ji). On the eve, a procession is led by the Panj Pyares (the Five Beloved Ones) and the holy book’s Palanquin (Palki). Nankana Sahib, Pakistan
24

Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur COMMEMORATION

Guru Tegh Bahadur (the 9th guru) was martyred when he refused to convert to Islam (the ambition of Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb). He was beheaded in public at Chandni Chowk on 11 November 1675. Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib (Anandpur Sahib)

December

21

Martyrdom of the Sahibzade COMMEMORATION

Deaths of Guru Gobind Singh’s oldest two sons. Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, were killed by Mughal soldiers in 1705. Gurdwara Sri Rath Sahib, Fatehgarh
26

Martyrdom of the Sahibzade COMMEMORATION

Deaths of Guru Gobind Singh’s two younger sons. Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, were executed in 1705. Gurdwara Sri Thanda Burj Sahib

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Nanakshahi Calendar
 

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