AMRITSAR — The Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, officially unveiled the Nanakshahi Calendar for the upcoming year, Sammat 558 (2026-27), on Friday afternoon. The release ceremony, held at the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs, was attended by Harjinder Singh Dhami, the President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), along with other senior religious officials. This annual document serves as the primary religious guide for the global Sikh community, outlining the dates for Gurpurabs and historical commemorations for the new year.
The newly released calendar highlights several momentous occasions scheduled for the upcoming year, including the 450th foundation day of Sri Amritsar Sahib and the centenary of Kiratpur Sahib. It also prominently marks the 650th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas Ji, reflecting a year of deep historical and spiritual significance for the Panth. During the launch, Jathedar Gargajj issued a strong appeal to the global Sikh community to remain unified and consistent by strictly adhering to the dates specified in the Nanakshahi Calendar for all religious observations.
In a directive aimed at ensuring widespread adherence, the Acting Jathedar instructed the SGPC’s Dharma Parchar Committee and its team of preachers to facilitate the distribution of the calendar to every Gurdwara in both urban and rural sectors. The religious leadership emphasized that the availability of the Akal Takht-approved calendar at the grassroots level is essential for maintaining communal harmony and preventing discrepancies in the celebration of holy days. President Harjinder Singh Dhami noted that the committee would prioritize making the calendar accessible to the international Sikh diaspora to ensure a synchronized global celebration of the upcoming centenaries.
The release of the Sammat 558 calendar is seen as a crucial step in organizing the massive religious gatherings expected throughout 2026 and 2027. With the 450th anniversary of the holy city of Amritsar on the horizon, the SGPC and Akal Takht are preparing for a year of intensified religious outreach and infrastructural development. The leadership concluded the event by reiterating that the Nanakshahi Calendar remains the symbol of the community’s distinct identity and collective spirit.
