Sikh Nanakshahi Date Today — What is the Nanakshahi Calendar?
The Nanakshahi Calendar is the official Sikh calendar, named in honour of Guru Nanak Dev Ji — the founder of Sikhism. It is a solar-based calendar formally adopted in 1999 by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The calendar was designed to assign fixed, consistent Gregorian-equivalent dates to all major Sikh Gurpurabs and festivals, eliminating the year-to-year drift that occurred under the older lunar-based system.
The Nanakshahi year begins on 1 Chet, which corresponds to 14 March every year. The current Nanakshahi year is 557 NS (2026 CE).
Nanakshahi vs Bikrami Calendar
| Feature | Nanakshahi Calendar | Bikrami (Vikram Samvat) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Solar (fixed) | Luni-solar (variable) |
| Introduced | 1999 CE (SGPC reform) | ~57 BCE (Vikramaditya) |
| Year Length | 365 days (fixed) | 354–385 days (variable) |
| Gurpurab Dates | Fixed Gregorian dates | Varies by 1–2 days annually |
| Current Year (2026) | Nanakshahi 557 NS | Bikrami Samvat 2083 BS |
| Leap Year | No extra month needed | Adhika Maas every 2–3 years |
| Named After | Guru Nanak Dev Ji | Emperor Vikramaditya |
12 Nanakshahi Months 2026 — Complete Guide
The Nanakshahi calendar has 12 months. The first 5 months have 31 days and the last 7 have 30 days. Each month has fixed Gregorian start dates every year:
| # | Month | Punjabi | اردو | 2026 Dates | Days | Season & Key Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chet | ਚੇਤ | چیت | 14 Mar – 13 Apr 2026 | 31 | 🌸 Spring · NS New Year · Hola Mohalla |
| 2 | Vaisakh | ਵੈਸਾਖ | ویساکھ | 14 Apr – 14 May 2026 | 31 | 🌾 Harvest · Vaisakhi 14 Apr · Khalsa Sajna Divas |
| 3 | Jeth | ਜੇਠ | جیٹھ | 15 May – 14 Jun 2026 | 31 | ☀️ Summer · Martyrdom Guru Arjan Dev Ji 16 Jun |
| 4 | Harh | ਹਾੜ | ہاڑھ | 15 Jun – 15 Jul 2026 | 31 | 🌧️ Monsoon begins · Rice planting |
| 5 | Sawan | ਸਾਵਣ | ساون | 16 Jul – 15 Aug 2026 | 31 | 🌊 Peak monsoon · Romantic season |
| 6 | Bhadon | ਭਾਦੋਂ | بھادوں | 16 Aug – 14 Sep 2026 | 30 | 🌿 Late monsoon · Harvest begins |
| 7 | Assu | ਅੱਸੂ | اسّو | 15 Sep – 14 Oct 2026 | 30 | 🍂 Autumn · Cotton picking · Cool nights |
| 8 | Katak | ਕੱਤਕ | کتک | 15 Oct – 13 Nov 2026 | 30 | 🪔 Bandi Chhor Divas 8 Nov · Guru Nanak Gurpurab |
| 9 | Maghar | ਮੱਘਰ | مگھر | 14 Nov – 13 Dec 2026 | 30 | ❄️ Winter begins · Guru Nanak Gurpurab 15 Nov |
| 10 | Poh | ਪੋਹ | پوہ | 14 Dec 2026 – 12 Jan 2027 | 30 | 🌨️ Coldest month · Guru Gobind Singh Ji 31 Dec |
| 11 | Magh | ਮਾਘ | ماگھ | 13 Jan – 11 Feb 2027 | 30 | 🔥 Lohri · Mela Maghi 14 Jan · Winter ending |
| 12 | Phagun | ਫੱਗਣ | پھگن | 12 Feb – 13 Mar 2027 | 30 | 🌺 Spring arrival · Year-end month · Basant |
Nanakshahi Calendar 2026 — Full Year View
Every day below shows the Gregorian date with its Nanakshahi (NS) date. 🟢 Green = Today 🟠 Orange = Major Gurpurab or event.
🟢 Green = Today | 🟠 Orange border = Major Gurpurab / festival. Hover on highlighted dates for event name.
Major Sikh Gurpurabs & Festivals 2026
| Gregorian Date | Day | NS Date | Event | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Jan 2026 | Mon | 23 Poh 557 | Guru Gobind Singh Ji — Parkash Utsav | Gurpurab |
| 13 Jan 2026 | Tue | 1 Magh 557 | Lohri / Magh Sangrand | Festival |
| 14 Jan 2026 | Wed | 2 Magh 557 | Mela Maghi | Festival |
| 6 Mar 2026 | Fri | 23 Phagun 557 | Hola Mohalla | Festival |
| 14 Mar 2026 | Sat | 1 Chet 558 | Chet Sangrand — Nanakshahi New Year ☬ | New Year |
| 14 Apr 2026 | Tue | 1 Vaisakh 558 | ⭐ Vaisakhi — Khalsa Sajna Divas | Major Festival |
| 16 Jun 2026 | Tue | 3 Harh 558 | Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji | Shaheedi |
| 8 Nov 2026 | Sun | 24 Katak 558 | Bandi Chhor Divas 🪔 | Festival |
| 15 Nov 2026 | Sun | 1 Maghar 558 | ⭐ Guru Nanak Dev Ji — Parkash Utsav | Major Gurpurab |
| 24 Nov 2026 | Tue | 10 Maghar 558 | Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji | Shaheedi |
| 31 Dec 2026 | Thu | 18 Poh 558 | Guru Gobind Singh Ji — Parkash Utsav | Gurpurab |
Major Sikh Events 2026 — Detailed Guide
1. Lohri & Mela Maghi — 13–14 January 2026 (1–2 Magh 557)
Lohri is celebrated on the eve of Magh Sangrand (13 January), marking the end of winter. People gather around bonfires, sing folk songs and share sweets like rewri and groundnuts. The next day, Mela Maghi (14 January) is a major Sikh historical fair held at Muktsar Sahib, commemorating the 40 Mukte (Forty Liberated Ones) who sacrificed their lives for Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1705.
2. Hola Mohalla — 6 March 2026 (23 Phagun 557)
Hola Mohalla was established by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1701 as a Sikh version of Holi. It is celebrated at Anandpur Sahib with mock battles, martial arts demonstrations, gatka (Sikh martial art) performances, poetry and music.
3. Chet Sangrand — Nanakshahi New Year — 14 March 2026 (1 Chet 558)
The first day of Chet marks the beginning of the Nanakshahi New Year 558. Sangrand is an important day in Sikh tradition — a Hukamnama (divine order) from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is read in Gurdwaras at every Sangrand to mark the start of the new month.
4. Vaisakhi — 14 April 2026 (1 Vaisakh 558)
Vaisakhi is one of the most important Sikh festivals, celebrated on 1 Vaisakh (14 April) every year. On this day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji founded the Khalsa Panth at Anandpur Sahib and administered Amrit to the Panj Pyare (Five Beloved Ones).
5. Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji — 16 June 2026 (3 Harh 558)
Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the 5th Sikh Guru, was martyred in 1606 by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir for refusing to convert to Islam. Cold drinks and sharbat are distributed to the public, recalling the suffering Guru Ji endured in the summer heat.
6. Bandi Chhor Divas — 8 November 2026 (24 Katak 558)
Bandi Chhor Divas celebrates the release of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji from Gwalior Fort in 1619. He refused to leave unless 52 Hindu princes were also freed. This day coincides with Diwali and Gurdwaras are illuminated with lights.
7. Guru Nanak Dev Ji — Parkash Utsav — 15 November 2026 (1 Maghar 558)
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab is the most widely celebrated Sikh festival worldwide. In Pakistan, large celebrations are held at Nankana Sahib, Hassan Abdal and Lahore.
8. Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji — 24 November 2026 (10 Maghar 558)
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the 9th Sikh Guru, was martyred in 1675 by Aurangzeb. He sacrificed his life to protect the religious freedom of Kashmiri Hindus. He is revered as Hind di Chaddar (Shield of India).
9. Guru Gobind Singh Ji — Parkash Utsav — 31 December 2026 (18 Poh 558)
Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Sikh Guru, was born on 22 December 1666. He founded the Khalsa Panth in 1699 and declared Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the eternal living Guru.
Sangrand Dates 2026 — First Day of Each Nanakshahi Month
| Nanakshahi Month | Punjabi | Sangrand Date 2026 | Day | NS Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magh | ਮਾਘ | 13 January 2026 | Tuesday | 1 Magh 557 |
| Phagun | ਫੱਗਣ | 12 February 2026 | Thursday | 1 Phagun 557 |
| Chet ★ New Year | ਚੇਤ | 14 March 2026 | Saturday | 1 Chet 558 |
| Vaisakh ★ Vaisakhi | ਵੈਸਾਖ | 14 April 2026 | Tuesday | 1 Vaisakh 558 |
| Jeth | ਜੇਠ | 15 May 2026 | Friday | 1 Jeth 558 |
| Harh | ਹਾੜ | 15 June 2026 | Monday | 1 Harh 558 |
| Sawan | ਸਾਵਣ | 16 July 2026 | Thursday | 1 Sawan 558 |
| Bhadon | ਭਾਦੋਂ | 16 August 2026 | Sunday | 1 Bhadon 558 |
| Assu | ਅੱਸੂ | 15 September 2026 | Tuesday | 1 Assu 558 |
| Katak | ਕੱਤਕ | 15 October 2026 | Thursday | 1 Katak 558 |
| Maghar ★ Guru Nanak | ਮੱਘਰ | 14 November 2026 | Saturday | 1 Maghar 558 |
| Poh | ਪੋਹ | 14 December 2026 | Monday | 1 Poh 558 |
Frequently Asked Questions — Sikh Nanakshahi Calendar
What is the Sikh date today?
Today’s Sikh Nanakshahi date is shown at the top of this page, automatically updated every day.
What is the Nanakshahi calendar?
The Nanakshahi Calendar is the official Sikh solar calendar, adopted in 1999 by the SGPC. The current year is Nanakshahi 557 (2026 CE).
When is Vaisakhi 2026?
Vaisakhi 2026 is on 14 April 2026 (1 Vaisakh 558 NS). Vaisakhi always falls on 14 April every year.
When is Guru Nanak Gurpurab 2026?
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab 2026 is on 15 November 2026 (1 Maghar 558 NS).
What is the difference between Nanakshahi and Bikrami calendar?
The Nanakshahi calendar is purely solar with fixed Gregorian dates. The Bikrami calendar is luni-solar — its dates shift by 1–2 days each year.
What are the 12 Nanakshahi months in order?
The 12 Nanakshahi months: Chet, Vaisakh, Jeth, Harh, Sawan, Bhadon, Assu, Katak, Maghar, Poh, Magh, Phagun. The year begins on 1 Chet (14 March).
Where are the major Sikh sites in Pakistan?
Nankana Sahib (birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji), Hassan Abdal — Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Lahore — Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib.
Also see: Desi Calendar Today | Islamic Date Today | Hindi Calendar