Vaisakhi - We've Got The Dates Wrong!

Vaisakhi - We've Got The Dates Wrong!

Vaisakhi, the 14th of April 2025, marks a special moment in the history of the Sikhs 326 years ago. Contrary to the usual harvest celebration during this period, this particular date remembers the creation of a new order. The order which gained fame throughout India for their bravery and selfless sacrifices. The new community came to be known as the Khalsa - The Pure Ones. What is Vaisakhi and who were the Khalsa? Are the dates used today accurate in representation of the inauguration of the Khalsa? What was their significance and what was their legacy? Make sure you read through the blog to find out and don’t forget to comment ‘Waheguru ji’ on our social media! 

Vaisakh represents the second month of the Indian Bikrami calendar. It’s a season filled with the warmth of Spring as Chet gives way to the oncoming heat of Summer. For the agricultural communities of the Punjab, this was a significant time marking the harvest of crops sown during the cold Winter months. Marked by celebrations, dances, and a joyous atmosphere, Vasakhi is the first day of Vaisakh which today falls on the 13th or 14th of April of the Gregorian calendar. It may come to a shock to many, but the celebration of Vaisakhi we have today on the 13th/14th of April do not match the historical dates of the initiation of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh ji in 1699. In fact, the actual date lies on the 30th of March 1699. So why are the dates all confused? This is due to the confusion of trying to align four different calendars systems (Gregorian, Julian, Bikrami and Nanakshahi). Before 1752, England used the Julian calendar which ran 11 days short in the same year. In order to standardize the calendars with other Christian countries, England transitioned to the Gregorian system in the same year. This meant that in 1753, the Sangrand (start) of Vaisakhi jumped to the 9th of April of the Gregorian calendar. Due to the Bikrami calendar’s shifts in dates every year, Sangrand of the following year moved to the 10th of April (11 days after 30th of March). By 1800, Sangrand fell on the 11th of April and shifted with the 12th for a few years. Then, in 1902, Vaisakhi fell on the 13th of April. Celebration for the 14th of April was a result of the Nanakshahi calendar. 

Khalsa Sajna Divas Part One - The Background

The Khalsa Sajna Divas marks the founding of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh ji. On the 30th of March 1699, the Khalsa was founded for several socio-political reasons which have become dulled in favor of a spiritual narrative. According to Kavi Sainapat, the author of the Sri Gur Sobha Granth, a contemporary of the Guru. Kavi Sainapat recalls the Khalsa’s founding goals. The Khalsa was formed as a military force to fight against oppression and tyranny (Sainapat, K. 1711). An army to protect the weak, and uphold the Dharma of truth and compassion. Yet, there lies another important motive for the creation of a physically, and practically unique organization. The growing power of the Masands have grown to a concerning height and the Guru was on a mission to break their hold to power. Within a Pauri of the Sri Gur Sobha, the Guru explicitly states to do away with the Masands (Sainapat, K. 1711). By establishing the Khalsa Panth, the Guru was establishing an organization that would remain fiercely loyal to him. Within Rattan Singh Bhangu’s Panth Prakash, it is recited that the Guru started transferring right to treasuries, land, and seats held by the Masands to the Khalsa (Bhangu, R.S. 1810).

Khalsa Sajna Divas Part Two - Who Will Give Me Their Head! 

Prior to the inauguration date, the Guru had sent for his Sikhs to gather at Anandpur Sahib. Unbeknownst to the Sikhs, the Guru was preparing a sacrifice. Prior to the gathering, the Sikhs were instructed to grow their hair out. Amongst the sea of crowds that had gathered in the premises of Anandpur Sahib, the Guru came out of a tent and demanded the sacrifice of a head. The shocked crowd couldn’t believe what they were hearing. Amongst the crowd, came a hand and a voice that answered the Guru’s demand. This was Daya Ram, the shopkeeper. The Guru took him into the tent and walked out with a bloody sword after a thud hit the ground. The Sikhs were frantic and questioned what had happened to Daya Ram. The Guru then demanded another head, and then another, until five individuals had given their heads. The Guru then walked out of the tent with the five individuals all dressed and announced that they were the Panj Pyare. The Five Beloved ones who would be the first to take Khande Di Pahul (Initiation by the double edged sword) from the Guru, who in turn kneeled and requested Pahul from the five. After taking Pahul, the five took up the surname Singh meaning lion. They were to be the Guru’s beloved and a physical manifestation of the Guru in his absence. These five were: 

Bhai Daya Singh

Bhai Dharam Singh

Bhai Himmat Singh

Bhai Mohkam Singh

Bhai Sahib Singh

The original Panj Pyare came from a diverse background originating from different castes, professions and locations from Lahore to Karnataka. They embody the Sikh principles of courage, compassion and sacrifice as well as the embodying the humanistic aspect of equality.

Sources

Kavi Sainapat - Sri Gur Sobha (1711)

Rattan Singh Bhangu - Panth Prakash (1810)