An independent guide to the Nanakshahi calendar, Gurpurab and Sikh heritage
Topic
Kirtan, language and the everyday practice of Sikh life.
6 articles
Sikh culture lives in daily practice: in kirtan sung in raag, in the Punjabi and Gurmukhi vocabulary families pass on, in langar and seva, and in the way festivals are explained to children and friends.
These articles look at that living culture, from how devotees listen to live kirtan from Sri Harmandir Sahib to explaining Sikh observances clearly in English.
Kirtan has been sung at Sri Harmandir Sahib almost continuously for centuries, and today it reaches homes worldwide. What kirtan is, how the day's programme unfolds, who the ragis are, and how to find the official broadcast.
By NanakShahi Editorial Team6 min read
From other sections
Mukhwak, Vak and Hukamnama are used almost interchangeably, but each word carries its own emphasis. This guide explains the terms, the procedure for taking a Vak, and how the practice shapes daily Sikh life.
5 min read
Gurpurab is often used to mean Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birth anniversary, but the word covers far more. Here is what it means, the kinds of Gurpurab Sikhs observe, and the traditions that shape them.
6 min read
Guru Nanak Jayanti marks the birth of the first Sikh Guru. Learn why it falls on the full moon of Katak, what happens during Akhand Path and Nagar Kirtan, and how anyone can take part respectfully.
7 min read
Punjabi households live by three calendars at once. This explainer shows how the Bikrami, Nanakshahi and Gregorian systems work, why festival dates move, and how to read a Punjabi jantri.
6 min read
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