#nanakshahinewyear

[theyearofyears]

14 March was 1 Chet, the first day in the Sikh Nanakshahi calendar. This year is the year 553, as the calendar is counted from 1469, the year the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak, was born. Many of the main Sikh festivals celebrate the birthdays of the Gurus, but although this calendar marks Guru Nanak’s birth, the festival of his birthday, Guru Nanak Jayanti, is celebrated according to the old Bikrami calendar, falling on November 19th this year. Although its use goes back further, the Nanakshahi calendar has only been in official use for a few years, since 2003. Then there were modifications in 2010 that have caused controversy, and some Sikhs still choose to use the old calendar. While researching these various calendar systems I’ve found fairly scant information about how this new New Year is celebrated, just a few posts describing a spiritual meditation - like the one below, from the Chardikala Turban Academy, a fascinating UK organisation run by Sikh volunteers sharing the rich history, meaning and technical know-how of the Turban. Nanakshahi New Year does fall pretty close to the major festival of Vaisakhi, a month later, which among other things marks the start of the Bikrami calendar. More on that, then. I’ll keep researching - meanwhile I’d love to hear from anyone who does celebrate more of the customs, and wish you all a Happy New Year. #NanakshahiNewYear #SikhNewYear #NanakShahi553 #TheYearOfYears As always happy to correct, delete or add anything missing. Posted @withregram • @chardikala_turbanacademy Happy Sikh New Year 1 Chet, Samwat Nanakashahi 553 ਚੇਤਿ ਗੋਵਿੰਦੁ ਅਰਾਧੀਐ ਹੋਵੈ ਅਨੰਦੁ ਘਣਾ ॥ In the month of Chayt, by meditating on the Lord of the Universe, a deep and profound joy arises. ਸੰਤ ਜਨਾ ਮਿਲਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਰਸਨਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਭਣਾ ॥ Meeting with the humble Saints, the Lord is found, as we chant His Name with our tongues. Artwork by: @singh_style_designs #chet #sikhnewyear #sikhcalendar #monthofchet #nanakshahicalendar #nanakshahi553 https://www.instagram.com/p/CMiVIObFIGy/?igshid=tpp9265n0y2j