Sikh Calendar 2010-2011

Sikhism is the Fifth Largest Religion in the World. It is a Monotheistic Religion. Sikhism is a distinct religion in itself and as such has it's own practices and traditions. Just like other Religions of the World, Sikhs too have their own separate Calendar. The Sikh Calendar is generally known as Nanakshahi Calendar. The Calendar came into existence in 1998. It was designed by Pal Singh Purewal to replace the Saka Calendar (Indian national calendar) which the Sikhs had been following before the advent of their own Calendar.  The Calendar is a Solar Calendar instead of the Lunar Cycle, meaning that dates will not fluctuate from year to year as they did previously under the Old Lunar Based Calendar. The epoch of this calendar is the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Nanak Dev in 1469. New Year's Day falls annually on what is March 14 in the Gregorian Western calendar. It is adopted by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee to determine the dates for important Sikh events. The Calendar is accepted in about 90% of the Gurudwaras throughout the world. The Calendar is important to Sikh Community as it re-affirms the Sikh faith's independence from the Hindu and Muslim faiths. Most of the important events in the Nanakshahi Calendar commemorate the milestones in the lives of the 10 gurus of the Sikhs and their teachings. The most popular and widely celebrated Sikh Festivals are the Birthdays of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. However the Calendar also includes Diwali, Holi etc. which are common to other Calendars but the dates may be common but the reason behind the Celebration or Events is different. Celebrations like Baisakhi and Lohri are Festivals which are celebrated with great Gaiety and Pomp. These Lively celebrations reflect the Robustness and Heartiness of the Sikh people. 

Sikh Calendar Months

Sikh Nanakshahi Calendar 2012  (Fixed Dates as of 2003)

Terminology

Parkash - Birthday

Gurgadi - Ascension to Guruship.

Jotijot - Death Anniversary.

                                                               Movable Dates

Three Events are still celebrated according to the Lunar Calendar, meaning that their dates change every year. Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Birthday has been traditionally celebrated on Katik Poornamashi. Although the correct birth date according to the majority of Janamsakhis has been established as Vaisakh 1 (April 14), it continues to be celebrated on Katik Poornamashi until such time as it is changed to Vaisakh 1. Katik Pooranmashi in 2008 was on November 13.

Bandi Chhor Divas - It will be observed on 5th November 2010.

Terminology

• Parkash - Birthday
• Gurgadi - Ascension to Guruship
• Jotijot - Death Anniversary.