Calendar (Nanakshahi), Sikhism

Synonyms

Dates; Festivals; Seasons; Time

Definition

Calendar (Nanakshahi), Sikhism: The calendar introduced in 2003 by the Akal Takht, as a modification to the Vikrami Samvat calendar. The Nanakshahi calendar is a distinctly Sikh calendar system formulated in the twentieth century. However, the adoption of the Nanakshahi calendar has proved controversial and continues to divide opinion in the Sikh community.

Nanakshahi Calendar

Nanakshahi and Vikrami Calendars: The Vikrami calendar was introduced by the legendary ruler Vikramaditya of Ujjain who established a new era in 58 B.C.E. ([1], p. 91) The Vikrami calendar was gradually adopted in many parts of South Asia, but it did not establish a monopoly. In certain regions of South Asia, the Shaka calendar is more widely used: the Shaka calendar began a new era in 78 B.C.E. and was instituted by the Kushana dynasty. ([1], pp. 77–83) In medieval and early modern South Asia, the Islamic Hijricalendar was also widely used especially by...