An independent guide to the Nanakshahi calendar, Gurpurab and Sikh heritage
Clear, carefully researched guides to Sikh dates and festivals, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Sri Harmandir Sahib and the daily Hukamnama, for families, students and curious readers.
The Nanakshahi calendar counts its years from Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birth in 1469 and fixes Punjabi months to the solar year. Here is how it was developed, how its twelve months work, and why it remains debated.
By NanakShahi Editorial Team9 min read
Just published
Why two calendars can give two different dates for the same Gurpurab, and what to do about it: a step-by-step method for confirming Sikh dates, plus practical advice for families, schools, workplaces and gurdwara committees.
6 min read
A season-by-season guide to the Sikh year: the major Gurpurabs, martyrdom days and festivals, what each one marks, which calendar sets its date, and roughly when to expect it.
7 min read
Kirtan has been sung at Sri Harmandir Sahib almost continuously for centuries, and today it reaches homes worldwide. What kirtan is, how the day's programme unfolds, who the ragis are, and how to find the official broadcast.
6 min read
What to wear, where to leave your shoes, how the darshan queue works, when to go for the quietest visit, and how to take part in langar and seva: a respectful, practical guide to visiting the Golden Temple.
6 min read
Nanakshahi Calendar
The Nanakshahi calendar numbers its years from the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and keeps the Punjabi month names, from Chet in spring to Phagun in late winter. Its year begins on 1 Chet, 14 March in the original version.
The current Nanakshahi year is 558.
| Month | Name in Gurmukhi | Begins | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Chet | ਚੇਤ | 14 March | 31 |
| 2Vaisakh | ਵੈਸਾਖ | 14 April | 31 |
| 3Jeth | ਜੇਠ | 15 May | 31 |
| 4Harh | ਹਾੜ੍ਹ | 15 June | 31 |
| 5Sawan | ਸਾਵਣ | 16 July | 31 |
| 6Bhadon | ਭਾਦੋਂ | 16 August | 30 |
| Month | Name in Gurmukhi | Begins | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7Assu | ਅੱਸੂ | 15 September | 30 |
| 8Katak | ਕੱਤਕ | 15 October | 30 |
| 9Maghar | ਮੱਘਰ | 14 November | 30 |
| 10Poh | ਪੋਹ | 14 December | 30 |
| 11Magh | ਮਾਘ | 13 January | 30 |
| 12Phagun | ਫੱਗਣ | 12 February | 30 / 31 |
Why do some gurdwaras mark the same Gurpurab on different days? Read our explainer on the Nanakshahi, Bikrami and Gregorian calendars.
Gurpurab
The days on which Sikhs remember the lives of the Gurus, and the life of the first Guru.
Gurpurab is often used to mean Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birth anniversary, but the word covers far more. Here is what it means, the kinds of Gurpurab Sikhs observe, and the traditions that shape them.
6 min read
Hukamnama & Mukhwak
Every morning a shabad is read from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at Sri Harmandir Sahib, and Sikhs around the world take it as guidance for the day. Our guides explain what the Hukamnama is, how it is taken and how to read it with understanding.
Looking for today's Hukamnama? We point you to the official publication rather than reproducing unverified text.
Where to find today's HukamnamaHow the day begins at Sri Harmandir Sahib: the palki procession from Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Prakash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the morning Hukamnama, and how a reading in Amritsar reaches Sikhs around the world.
5 min read
Mukhwak, Vak and Hukamnama are used almost interchangeably, but each word carries its own emphasis. This guide explains the terms, the procedure for taking a Vak, and how the practice shapes daily Sikh life.
5 min read
A practical, step-by-step guide to finding the daily Hukamnama from the Golden Temple, reading its heading and structure, using translations wisely and reflecting on it. This guide contains no daily text of its own.
6 min read
The word Hukamnama can mean the daily reading from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, a historical letter from a Guru, or an edict from Sri Akal Takht Sahib. This guide untangles the meanings and explains why the Hukamnama from Sri Darbar Sahib matters.
6 min read
Harmandir Sahib
History, architecture, daily worship and a respectful guide for visitors.
Sikh festivals
Sikhs light lamps on the same night as Diwali, but they are remembering something different. How the two observances came to share a date, what separates them, and how families navigate both.
6 min read
Guru Hargobind Ji's release from Gwalior Fort, the fifty-two kings who walked out with him, and the lamps that greeted him in Amritsar: the story at the heart of Bandi Chhor Divas and how it came to be celebrated.
6 min read
A clear English explanation of Bandi Chhor Divas: what the words mean, how to pronounce and spell them, why 'chhor' does not mean 'thief', and a short version of the story you can share with friends, colleagues or children.
5 min read
Sikh history & culture
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Sikh practice varies between families, gurdwaras and regions. We welcome corrections and suggestions from readers, and we update articles when they help us improve.