The Sikh Calendar: Gurupurabs and Festival Dates

Sikh Calendar - Nanakshahi

Until the 13th of March, 1998, the Sikhs used a Hindu lunar calendar to determine their feast days. They now use their own Nanakshahi calendar which started on 14 March 1999 Gregorian (1 Chet 531 Nanakshahi) and aligns with the Gregorian calendar. The era (1 Chet 1 Nanakshahi) marks the birth of the 1st Guru, Nanak Dev Ji, in the Punjab in 1469. Although influenced by the Hindu Solar Calendar, the Sikh Organization affirms that Nanakshahi dates are fixed relative to the Gregorian calendar.

Baramaha - The Twelve Months of the Sikh Year

Baramaha is the name of a poetic composition in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib that mentions the twelve Indian months. Guru Arjan Dev Ji composed a well-known Baramaha in Raag Majh, which is often recited in Gurudwaras on Sangrand. Guru Nanak Dev Ji also composed a Baramaha in Raag Tukhari. These compositions use the changing moods of nature throughout the year to symbolize spiritual emotions and yearnings of the soul.

Sikh Month	Begins (Gregorian Date)
Chet	March 14
Vaisakh	April 14
Jeth	May 15
Harh	June 15
Sawan	July 16
Bhadon	August 16
Asu	September 15
Katik	October 15
Maghar	November 14
Poh	December 14
Magh	January 13
Phagan	February 12