Let's Talk About Sikhi

Understanding the Mool Nanakshahi Calendar

What connects Sikh history, Gurbani, astronomy and the changing seasons? In Episode 3 of Let's Talk About Sikhi, host Dass Atma Singh sits down with Irwin Preet Singh to explore the Mool Nanakshahi Calendar and its importance in understanding and preserving Sikh history and traditions.

Let's Talk About Sikhi is a series that shares real stories, asks honest questions and explores the timeless wisdom of Waheguru Ji. Through conversations with members of the Sikh community, the series creates space to learn from personal experiences, explore important aspects of Sikhi and deepen our understanding of the Guru's teachings.

Why Does the Sikh Calendar Matter?

Irwin Preet Singh shares his journey of reconnecting with Sikhi and explains how his experiences, community involvement and interactions with the late Sardar Pal Singh Purewal, the designer of the Mool Nanakshahi Calendar, led him to develop a deeper interest in the subject.

The conversation explores why the calendar is more than simply a way to keep track of dates. It is also about remembering Sikh history accurately, understanding the relationship between Gurbani and nature, and ensuring that important Sikh observances remain consistent.

Some of the key topics discussed include:

Understanding the Mool Nanakshahi Calendar: What it is, how it works and why a distinct Sikh calendar is important for remembering Gurpurabs and other historical observances.
The difference between calendars: Irwin explains the differences between the Bikrami, Gregorian, Julian and Mool Nanakshahi calendars, including how calendar systems can gradually drift away from the natural seasons.
Gurbani and the seasons: The discussion explores how Gurbani refers to different months and seasons, including the relationship between Basant, Chait and Vaisakh, and how seasonal references deepen our understanding of the Guru's message.
Preserving Sikh history: The conversation examines how inconsistent calendar systems can affect the dates on which important Sikh historical events and Gurpurabs are remembered.
Making Sikh knowledge accessible: Irwin discusses the role of digital resources, including the Mool Nanakshahi Calendar website and app, in helping younger generations explore Sikh history and traditions.

Learning to Think Critically Through Gurbani

One of the important messages from this conversation is the need to approach information with a discerning mind. With so much information and misinformation available today, Irwin encourages Sikhs to use Guru Granth Sahib Ji as their guiding reference rather than relying unquestioningly on secondary sources.

The conversation is a reminder that learning about Sikhi is a lifelong journey, one that requires curiosity, reflection and a willingness to keep asking questions.

Watch Episode 3 of Let's Talk About Sikhi to explore the Mool Nanakshahi Calendar and discover how our understanding of time, seasons and history can bring us closer to the wisdom of Gurbani.