Question:
When is Guru Nanak Dev's Birthday 2011?
Guru Nanak Dev's birthday is known to Sikhs as Guru Nanak Dev's prakash, or the dawn of spiritual light. Guru Nanak is the founder of Sikhism. Guru Nanak Dev's birthday, or prakash, celebration is known as gurpurab, a commemorative event, and is observed with a Sikh worship service which includes kirtan, the singing of divine hymns. When is Guru Nanak Dev's birthday prakash 2011?
Answer:
Ancient records indicate Guru Nanak Dev's birth as the 3rd day of the waxing moon, or Sudi 3, month of Vaisakh, Vikram Samvat (SV) year 1526, or March 14, 1469 of the Julian calendar.
When converted to the modern Gregorian calendar, Guru Nanak Dev's birth or prakash occurred April 14, 1469 A.D. Therefore, according to the Nanakshahi Sikhism calendar, Guru Nanak Dev's gurpurab is calculated to be observed on *April 14, 2011. However legends that Guru Nanak's birth happened October 20, 1469, on pooranmashi (full moon) result in traditional gurpurab celebrations held late fall, calculated to be **November 10, in 2011.
Free Sikhism Desk Top Calendar 2011:
The 2011 Sikhism gurpurab holiday calendar is based on Nanakshahi 543 calendar conversions and marked with commemorative dates from Sikh History. Get your free Sikhism 2011 Desk Top Calendar with Gurbani quote and Sikhi art today.
*Because of ongoing controversial amendments of the Nanakshahi calendar to correlate with the ever fluctuating Indian calendar based on astrological predictions and lunar influences, 2011 dating for Nanakshahi year 543 corresponds to Nanakshahi fixed dates meant to align with the modern day Gregorian calendar in use in America and other Western countries.
** As of this writing Nanakshahi 543 calenders have not yet been released. On going controversies my affect the date of 2011 pooranmashi gurpurab celebrations. Check back for updates after Nanakshahi New Year, March 14, 2011.
