Calendar debate resurfaces ahead of Guru Gobind Singh’s birth anniversary, Sikh community calls for definitive resolution from Akal Takht

Sikh scholars emphasise that historically, Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Parkash Purab has always been observed on Poh Sudi Saptami, a date recorded in manuscripts, hukamnamas, and long-standing Sikh tradition.‘Confusion began after 1999’“Traditionally, Sikh religious dates were determined using two natural time-keeping systems—lunar (Chandramas) for Gurpurabs and solar (Sangrands) for the start of months. There was no confusion for centuries,” said the US-based Sikh scholar and legislative expert Gurcharanjit Singh Lamba.

“But after 1999, with the introduction of the Panchanga-based Nanakshahi Calendar, unnecessary disputes began. It created confusion about Gurpurab dates, Sangrands, and major Sikh historical events.”

Giving examples, Lamba said the SGPC calendar of 2017–18 placed the martyrdom days of the Sahibzadas between December 22–27, while Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Parkash Purab fell on December 25, 2017, again overlapping with Shaheedi Saptah.

“At that time, Akal Takht Sahib had clearly advised SGPC not to change the Guru’s birth date,” Lamba said.

He added that overlap should not cause confusion.
“In Sikhism, there is no sorrow or happiness. The same Kirtan and Ardas are performed during Parkash Purab as well as during the martyrdom days. Even historically, the day Guru Sahib sent his sons toward martyrdom in December 1704 was also his own birthday.”

Akal Takht’s directives

Akal Takht’s directives issued on January 7, 2010, reaffirmed all traditional dates, including Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s Shaheedi: Jeth Sudi 4, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji’s Parkash: Poh Sudi 7, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji’s Jyoti Jot: Chet Sudi 5, Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s Gurgaddi: Katak Sudi 2 and Sangrands: To follow the traditional solar calendar etc.

Despite this, Lamba said, “Some groups still try to fix Sikh dates of Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday according to the Gregorian calendar, which cannot align with the lunar-solar system. Poh Sudi Saptami will occur only once each Sikh year and can never permanently fall on a particular date like January 5, which was suggested for Guru’s Birthday earlier.”

He explained that Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Parkash Purab can naturally fall anytime between the last week of December and early January, depending on lunar movements.

Call for permanent clarity

Community members say the recurring confusion points to the need for a final and binding clarification from Akal Takht Sahib, preferably adopting one consistent system for all Sikh dates.

They note that while Shaheedi Saptah was traditionally observed mainly at historic martyrdom sites through Jorh Melas, in recent decades it has come to be observed more widely and prominently across the community, increasing the need for clarity.

“Those repeatedly attempting to disrupt Gurpurab dates are harming community unity,” Lamba said. “This issue must be resolved permanently with strict enforcement of Akal Takht Sahib’s decisions.”