Nanakshahi calendar

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Guru Nanak Dev by Raja Ravi Varma

Nanakshahi Calendar is the calendar system adopted by the Sikh community. It was developed towards the end of the 20th century and is named after Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. The calendar represents a significant departure from the traditional Bikrami calendar, a lunisolar calendar which had been used in the Indian subcontinent for centuries. The Nanakshahi Calendar is a purely solar calendar and is structured to be in harmony with the Gregorian calendar to a great extent.

History

The Nanakshahi Calendar was introduced by Pal Singh Purewal, a Sikh scholar and scientist, with the aim of standardizing the calendar system for Sikh festivals, anniversaries, and other important events. Before its adoption, the Sikh community relied on the Bikrami calendar, which led to confusion and inconsistency in the dates of Sikh festivals. The Sikh Guru Granth Sahib does not specifically mention any calendar by name, but it emphasizes the importance of time and seasons. The proposal for the Nanakshahi Calendar was made in the 1960s, and after several adjustments and considerations, it was finally accepted by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in 1998 and implemented in 2003.

Structure

The Nanakshahi Calendar starts from the birth year of Guru Nanak in 1469. It is a solar calendar that consists of 12 months, with the New Year falling on March 14th of the Gregorian calendar. The months in the Nanakshahi Calendar are named after the traditional Indian months, but their lengths are fixed to either 30 or 31 days, corresponding closely with the Gregorian calendar to simplify the observance of Sikh events and festivals. The leap year in the Nanakshahi Calendar is synchronized with the Gregorian leap year, ensuring that the calendar does not drift significantly over time.

Months

The months in the Nanakshahi Calendar are as follows:

1. Chet
2. Vaisakh
3. Jeth
4. Harh
5. Sawan
6. Bhadon
7. Assu
8. Kattak
9. Maghar
10. Poh
11. Magh
12. Phagun

Each month is associated with specific Sikh events and the agricultural cycle in Punjab, reflecting the deep connection between Sikhism, its followers, and the land of Punjab.

Significance

The adoption of the Nanakshahi Calendar was a significant step for the Sikh community in establishing a unique identity and standardizing the observance of important events. It has helped in reducing confusion and has brought uniformity to the celebration of Sikh festivals worldwide. The calendar also emphasizes the Sikh principle of living in harmony with nature, as it is aligned with the solar cycle.

Controversies

The Nanakshahi Calendar has faced some controversies and opposition from various quarters within the Sikh community. Some traditionalists prefer the Bikrami calendar due to its historical and religious significance. There have been debates regarding the dates of certain Sikh festivals, which differ between the Nanakshahi and Bikrami calendars. Despite these controversies, the Nanakshahi Calendar continues to be used by a significant portion of the Sikh population for religious and cultural observances.

Conclusion

The Nanakshahi Calendar is more than just a method of marking time; it is a reflection of Sikh identity and heritage. By adopting a calendar based on solar calculations, the Sikh community has taken a step towards modernity while still preserving its rich traditions and cultural practices. The calendar serves as a reminder of the teachings of Guru Nanak and the importance of living in harmony with the natural world.

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