Sikh Religious Festivals

Remaining Sikh religious festivals in 2006 (current as of 04/09/06)

Birthday of Guru Ram Das
• 9th October 2006 (Nanakshahi calendar)

Diwali
• 21st October 2006

Birthday of Guru Nanak
• 5th November 2006 (Lunar calendar)

Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur
• 24th November 2006 (Nanakshahi calendar)

Sikh religious festivals in 2007

Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh
• 5th January 2007 (Nanakshahi calendar)
• Guru Gobind Singh established the Five K’s and the Order of the Khalsa, he was the tenth and last Sikh Guru.

Birthday of Guru Har Rai • 31st January 2007 (Nanakshahi calendar) • Guru Har Rai was the seventh Sikh Guru. Hola Mohalla • 4th March 2007 (Lunar calendar) • This is a three day festival where military exercises and mock battles take place; the festival was first devised as a way to distract Sikhs from the Hindu festival, Holi. Now instead of the military exercises and mock battles Sikhs watch and partake in martial arts parades lead by nishan sahibs of the Gurdwaras. This day is also recognised on the 14th April, according to the Nanakshahi calendar, but is currently celebrated in accordance with the lunar calendar.

 

Hola Mohalla
• 4th March 2007 (Lunar calendar)
• This is a three day festival where military exercises and mock battles take place; the festival was first devised as a way to distract Sikhs from the Hindu festival, Holi. Now instead of the military exercises and mock battles Sikhs watch and partake in martial arts parades lead by nishan sahibs of the Gurdwaras. This day is also recognised on the 14th April, according to the Nanakshahi calendar, but is currently celebrated in accordance with the lunar calendar.

Vaisakhi
• 13th April 2007
• This day commemorates the founding of the Khalsa by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, in 1699. It is also the day when Sikhs celebrate their New Year.

Birthday of Guru Nanak
• 14th April 2007 (Nanakshahi calendar)
• Guru Nanak was the founder of the Sikh religion; he was born on April 14th 1469. This day is also recognised on the 24th November in accordance with the lunar calendar.

Birthday of Guru Angad Dev
• 18th April 2007 (Nanakshahi calendar)
• Guru Angad Dev was the second Sikh Guru (1504-1552)

Birthday of Guru Tegh Bahadur
• 18th April 2007 (Nanakshahi calendar)
• The ninth of the Sikh Gurus, Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621-1675) is remembered for his belief in the right for all religious freedom.

Birthday of Guru Arjan Dev
• 2nd May 2007 (Nanakshahi calendar)
• Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth of the Sikh Guru (1563-1606)

Birthday of Guru Amar Das
• 23rd May 2007 (Nanakshahi calendar)
• The third Sikh Guru (1479-1574)

Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev
• 16th June 2007 (Nanakshahi)
• He was the first Sikh martyr and he also compiled all of the Gurus past writing to create the Sikh Holy Scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib.

Birthday of Guru Hargobind
• 5th July 2007 (Nanakshahi)
• The sixth Sikh Guru (1595-1644)

Birthday of Guru Har Krishen
• 23rd July 2007 (Nanakshahi calendar)
• The eighth Sikh Guru (1656-1664)

Birthday of Guru Ram Das
• 9th October 2007 (Nanakshahi calendar)
• The fourth Sikh Guru (1534-1581)

Diwali
• 9th November 2007
• This is the festival of lights and is a day of celebration shared by Sikhs, Hindus and Jains. The festival lasts for five days and is a great spectacle, with firework displays and many lights; so is a greatly popular with children.

Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur
• 24th November 2007 (Nanakshahi calendar)
• He was the ninth Sikh Guru, and was executed for refusing to convert to Islam in 1675. He is remembered for his belief in religious freedom