Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas 2026: Date, History and Significance
Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Tegh Bahadur is the day on which Sikhs remember the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru, who gave his life in Delhi in 1675 rather than give up his faith or accept the forced conversion of others. In 2026, Shaheedi Diwas falls on Tuesday, 24 November. It is a solemn day of remembrance, marked in gurdwaras with prayer, kirtan and processions, and it is also known as Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day.
When Is Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas in 2026?
Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas 2026 is observed on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. The date is fixed in the Nanakshahi calendar, so it falls on 24 November every year, unlike festivals tied to the lunar calendar. In 2026 it shares the day with two other major observances already covered on this site: Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurpurab) and Dev Deepawali on Kartik Purnima, which also fall on Tuesday, 24 November 2026.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas 2026 Date and Key Facts
| Event | Information |
|---|---|
| Observance in 2026 | Tuesday, 24 November 2026 |
| Also known as | Shaheedi Divas, Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day |
| Guru honoured | Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru (1665 to 1675) |
| Historical martyrdom | 11 November 1675 (Julian calendar), Chandni Chowk, Delhi |
| Why 24 November is observed | 11 November 1675 Julian corresponds to 24 November Gregorian, and the Nanakshahi calendar fixes the observance on 24 November |
| Title remembered by | Hind di Chadar (Shield of India) |
| Main places of remembrance | Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, Delhi |
| Public holiday | Yes, in Punjab and some other states |
Why Are There Two Dates, 11 November 1675 and 24 November?
Sources give both dates, and both are correct in their own calendar. Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed on 11 November 1675 according to the Julian calendar in use at the time. That date corresponds to 24 November in the Gregorian calendar used today. The Nanakshahi calendar, released by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, fixes the annual observance on 24 November. So 11 November 1675 is the historical date of the martyrdom, and 24 November is the date on which Shaheedi Diwas is observed every year, including Tuesday, 24 November 2026.
Who Was Guru Tegh Bahadur?
Guru Tegh Bahadur was born in 1621 in Amritsar and became the ninth Sikh Guru in 1665, succeeding Guru Har Krishan. He was the father of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru. He founded the city of Anandpur Sahib, which later became central to Sikh history. He travelled widely, preaching and teaching, and he composed 115 hymns that are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. His teachings stressed fearlessness, compassion and the freedom of conscience: that no one should be forced to follow a faith against their will, and no one should force their faith on another.
Why Was Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyred?
In 1675, a group of Kashmiri Pandits came to Guru Tegh Bahadur seeking help against forced conversion to Islam under the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. According to Sikh tradition, the Guru took up their cause and defended their right to practise their own religion, even though they did not belong to his own community. He was arrested, taken to Delhi, and given the choice to convert to Islam or perform a miracle. He refused both. He was publicly beheaded in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, on the orders of Aurangzeb. His martyrdom is remembered as a sacrifice for the religious freedom of all people, which is why he is honoured with the title Hind di Chadar, the Shield of India.
How Is Shaheedi Diwas Observed?
Shaheedi Diwas is observed with reverence, not celebration. Gurdwaras hold special kirtan and prayers, and many hold an Akhand Path, the continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib over three days ending on the day itself. Nagar Kirtan processions, led by the Panj Pyare and accompanied by hymn singing, pass through towns and cities. Langar, the free community kitchen, serves all visitors without distinction. Gurdwaras are decorated with lights, and the story of the Guru’s sacrifice is retold so that younger generations learn why the day matters. In Delhi, large gatherings take place at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, which marks the site of the martyrdom, and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, which marks the cremation site. The 350th anniversary of the martyrdom was marked in 2025, and the observance continues each year on 24 November.
Shaheedi Diwas and the Days Around It
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| Friday, 20 November 2026 | Devutthana Ekadashi (Smarta fast), Chaturmas ends |
| Saturday, 21 November 2026 | Tulsi Vivah, Vaishnava Devutthana Ekadashi |
| Tuesday, 24 November 2026 | Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas, Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurpurab), Kartik Purnima and Dev Deepawali |
| Sunday, 20 December 2026 | Gita Jayanti (Mokshada Ekadashi) |
See our Gurpurab 2026 guide for Guru Nanak Jayanti on the same day, our Dev Deepawali 2026 guide for Kartik Purnima, our Tulsi Vivah 2026 guide, and our Maghar month page for the desi month that follows Kartik.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas Dates in Coming Years
| Year | Day | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday | 24 November 2026 |
| 2027 | Wednesday | 24 November 2027 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas in 2026?
Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas 2026 is observed on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. The observance falls on 24 November every year under the Nanakshahi calendar.
Why is Shaheedi Diwas observed on 24 November when the Guru was martyred on 11 November 1675?
11 November 1675 is the date in the Julian calendar then in use. That date corresponds to 24 November in the Gregorian calendar used today, and the Nanakshahi calendar fixes the annual observance on 24 November.
Who was Guru Tegh Bahadur?
Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth Sikh Guru, from 1665 to 1675. Born in 1621 in Amritsar, he founded Anandpur Sahib, composed 115 hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib, and was the father of Guru Gobind Singh.
Why is Guru Tegh Bahadur called Hind di Chadar?
Hind di Chadar means the Shield of India. The title honours his sacrifice for the religious freedom of others: he gave his life defending Kashmiri Pandits against forced conversion, even though they did not belong to his own community.
How is Shaheedi Diwas observed?
It is a solemn day of remembrance. Gurdwaras hold kirtan and prayers, many hold an Akhand Path, Nagar Kirtan processions take place, langar is served to all, and the story of the Guru’s sacrifice is retold. In Delhi, gatherings take place at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib.
When is Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas in 2027?
Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas in 2027 falls on Wednesday, 24 November 2027, as the observance is fixed on 24 November every year.
