In a significant development for the Sikh community, the revised Nanakshahi calendar for Samvat 557 (2025-26) was formally released on Thursday at the Akal Takht Secretariat. The event, attended by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh and SGPC General Secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan, marks a renewed effort to promote uniform observance of religious occasions.
A Call for Community Unity
Addressing the gathering, Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh stressed the importance of adhering to the newly released calendar. He urged Sikh institutions and followers alike to celebrate religious events according to the calendar approved by the Akal Takht through the SGPC. “Observing these dates uniformly is essential to maintaining the unity and cohesion of our community,” he stated.
Evolution of the Calendar
This updated version is a modified edition of the original Nanakshahi calendar introduced in 2003. The calendar underwent amendments in 2010, which received approval from the Akal Takht. However, differences in observance have persisted since then. While the SGPC follows the amended calendar, some Sikh bodies—including the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and several organizations in the US and Delhi—continue to observe the original version. The revised calendar aims to streamline the scheduling of Gurpurbs and other significant religious observances, addressing instances where certain events were marked twice annually.
New Features and Upcoming Commemorations
The three-page calendar details the designated dates for major Sikh religious occasions. Highlights include the 350th celebration of the Gurta Gaddi of Guru Gobind Singh, the 350th shaheedi divas of Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib, and various other Gurpurbs, each accompanied by pictorial references of historic religious sites.
General Secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan announced that, in addition to these dates, the SGPC is preparing to mark the centenary of the shaheedi of the revered disciples Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das, and Bhai Dyala jee. These martyrs, noted for their steadfast commitment to the Guru’s path, will be commemorated at Anandpur Sahib. The calendar also features images of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj, Gurdwara Kesgarh Sahib, and Gurudwara Seesganj Sahib, symbolizing the enduring legacy and sacrifices of the Sikh Gurus.
Implementation Across the Community
To ensure that the updated calendar reaches every corner of the Sikh community, Giani Raghbir Singh has directed the SGPC’s Dharam Parchar Committee and its ‘parcharaks’ to distribute the Akal Takht-approved calendar to all gurdwaras, both in urban centers and rural areas. The move is expected to harmonize the observance of key religious dates across different regions and organizations.
A Broad-Based Celebration
The release event saw several prominent figures in attendance, including Takht Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Sultan Singh, SGPC Secretary Partap Singh, Deputy Secretary Harbhajan Singh Vakta, DPC Secretary Balwinder Singh Kalwan, and other SGPC members. The SGPC also confirmed that detailed programmes related to the various Gurpurbs will be announced shortly.
This updated Nanakshahi calendar is seen as a pivotal step towards unifying the Sikh community by standardizing the dates of religious observances, thereby reinforcing the shared identity and traditions that have long defined Sikh culture.
