Martyrdom Day of Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji 2025
Every year Shaheedi Diwas or Martyrdom Day for Guru Arjan Dev Ji is marked to honour the life sacrifice made by him as the fifth Sikh Guru in the line of Sikh Gurus. This date might fall on May 30 for the Sikh community in 2025.
Just like other holidays celebrated by Sikh communities, this day can fall on a date which varies depending on calendar used. This blog is dedicated to explain the history behind this day along with explaining how it has been observed for the last decade.
Date in 2025
Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Martyrdom Day double checks the calendar to find falling dates on May 30 which is the estimated date of observation. People need to understand there are multiple calendars in Sikhism which include lunisolar Sikh calendars. For these reason, Guru Arjan Dev Ji Martyrdom Day could be observed any day in between branimg at the final date of May 30. As such, the best course on action is to confirm with local gurdwara authorities in advance.
Life and History of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru of the Sikhs, was singularly impactful in the rendering and evolution of Sikhism and Sikhism’s teachings. His life and martyrdom highlights the struggle for the core meaning of faith with social justice.
Life History and Guruship
Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji was born on April 15, 1563 at Goindwal and was the youngest son of Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru and Mata Bhani. He succeeded his father in 1581 when he was just 18 years old. During that period, the Sikh population was on the increase, and he emerged as a central devotee for spiritual motivation and social amelioration.
Achievements in Sikhism
For his immeasurable achievements in Sikhism, Guru Arjan Dev Ji is adored for:
Setting Off the Adi Granth: The Sikh scripture which was later called Guru Granth Sahib, he put together the first official edition which is called Adi Granth. This was the first text published after all Gurus agreed that the sacred became a living embodiment of Sikh inclusiveness and is comprised not only of devotional songs and prayers of the first four Gurus but also revered the works of many Hindu and Muslim saints.
Completion and The Harmandir Sahib: He managed the finishing works on the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) located in Amritsar, which continues to be the most sacred place for Sikhs. The structure of the temple was intended to have four doors which provided access to everyone and accepted all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
1606 Martyrdom
Due to the prominence that Sikhism was gaining at that time, he was persecuted for not being willing to convert to Islam; he was arrested in 1606 in the rule of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Torturous processes, harsh enough to cause him to burn sand being poured on him while sitting on a hot iron plate, were implemented. Yet, he endured all this pain for his faith. On his martyrdom on the 30th of May, he was taken to the Ravi River for a bath where he vanished. The mark of his witnessing such oppression and pain has long been fought over, referred to as the Sikh endure martyrdom which undeniably encapsulates the concept of oppression.
Importance of the Day
The Martyrdom Day of Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji is important to Sikhs all over the world. For them, this day is used to meditate and pay homage to the Guru for his sacrifices in the name of truth, tolerance, and justice. His martyrdom serves as a rallying point for Sikhs to ensure freedom for one’s religion without fear of persecution.
On this day, Sikhs gather at gurdwaras where they offer prayers, kirtans (devotional singing), and readings from the Guru Granth Sahib. Special decocires of community kitchens are set up where free meals are served in the spirit of the Singh’s teachings of compassion and service to humanity.
Observance Over the Years
The Martyrdom Day is commemorated every year and lies between the middle of May and mid-June on the Gregorian calendar . Depending on whether the traditional lunisolar calendar or the Nanakshahi calendar is used, the date may vary. For the years listed, the Martyrdom Day observations are presented in the table below.
List of Dates from 2015 to 2024
2015: June 16
2016: June 16
2017: June 16
2018: June 16
2019: June 16
2020: June 16
2021: June 16
2022: June 16
2023: May 23
2024: June 10
Note: 2015 to 2020, the date was observed as June 16, indicating adherence to original Nanakshahi calendar. However, shifts were seen in 2023 and 2024 where dates changed to May 23 and June 10 respectively. This highlights with how some Sikh communities might be using the traditional Bikrami calendar. This emphasizes the need to consult local Sikh authorities for the date each year reliably.
Come 2025, when the Sikh community commemorates this day on May 30, it is imperative to remember the contributions of Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji along with the principles he continued to symbolize. His sacrifices shaped the world we live in today which allows people to freely practice their faith without any persecution, promotes equality, and extends justice.