Salgirah is the birthday of the Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, and in Hunza, Gilgit and Ghizer, where Ismailis make up much of the population, it is one of the most widely felt days of the year. It is now marked on 12 October. Older guides, and some of the older people you will meet, still talk about 13 December, and that needs explaining.
This guide covers which date to use, what the community does, the separate October anniversary that Hunza also calls Salgirah, and how a visitor passing through should behave. It is a faith occasion first, so it works differently from the festivals on our list of the best festivals in Pakistan.
Why 12 October and not 13 December?
For decades Salgirah meant 13 December, the birthday of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, who was born in Geneva in 1936. After his death in February 2025, Prince Rahim Aga Khan V was named the 50th hereditary Imam on 4 February 2025 (Institute of Ismaili Studies). He was born on 12 October 1971, so Ismailis celebrated his first Salgirah as Imam on 12 October 2025, his 54th birthday.
The date is fixed in the Gregorian calendar, so it does not move with the moon. It falls on Monday 12 October 2026 and Tuesday 12 October 2027. If a page tells you Salgirah in Hunza is in December, it is out of date.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Date | 12 October every year (Monday in 2026, Tuesday in 2027) |
| Second date in Hunza | 23 October, anniversary of the first Imam's visit in 1960 |
| Who it is for | Ismaili community; a religious and family occasion |
| Where | Jamatkhanas and community halls in Hunza, Gilgit, Ghizer and Chitral |
| Tickets | None; it is not a public festival |
| Best for | Seeing a village at its most festive, politely, from outside |
What happens on Salgirah
The community gathers in Jamatkhanas, the Ismaili prayer houses, and in larger halls and open grounds where numbers need it. Reports from Gilgit-Baltistan on earlier Salgirahs describe birthday cakes cut in Jamatkhanas and community feasts held across the valleys of Ghizer, Gilgit and Hunza (Pamir Times, 2016). Families dress up, children perform, and people greet each other with "Salgirah Mubarak".
Prayers are part of the day, including prayers for peace and for unity among Muslims. In Ismaili communities elsewhere, Jamatkhana exteriors are often lit with strings of bulbs for festive occasions, and you may see something similar in the evening. Don't expect organised public fireworks or a stage show aimed at tourists.
Because Salgirah is a closed community occasion, there is no programme to follow and no venue that sells entry. What a visitor sees is the atmosphere: smartly dressed families heading out, decorated buildings, a slower bazaar than usual and some shops shut for the afternoon.
The 23 October anniversary in Hunza
Hunza keeps a second celebration that it also calls Salgirah. On 23 October 1960, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV made his first visit to the region as Imam, the first Imam to visit Gilgit, Ghizer and Hunza. Ismailis in Hunza have marked the anniversary each year since, with reports from Karimabad in 2014 describing dance, speeches and prayers for peace (Pamir Times).
The speeches often look back at what life in the valley was like before the 1960s and at the development work of the Aga Khan Development Network in health, education and culture. Some years the events stretch over several days, from about 21 to 26 October, as in 2011. Local reports give the date as 22 or 23 October, so ask in Karimabad if the exact day matters.
Separately, Prince Rahim Aga Khan V's first visit as Imam to Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral was scheduled for 20 to 26 May 2026 (Express Tribune), with gatherings planned in Passu, Hunza and Gilgit. Large community events like that can affect roads and hotel space, so check current local news before you plan around any such date.
Should you plan a trip around Salgirah?
Honestly, not unless you have a connection to the community or a local host who invites you. There is little a non-Ismaili visitor can attend, and the Jamatkhana itself is for members. Turning up expecting a festival to photograph will leave you disappointed and may intrude.
What does make sense is arriving without a rigid plan. If your dates in Hunza happen to include 12 October or the last week of October, you will notice it, and the autumn colour at that time is a good reason to be there anyway. Our guides to Hunza in October and the best time to visit Hunza cover weather and road conditions. For a festival you can walk into, look at the Ginani festival at Baltit Fort instead.
Etiquette for visitors
- Do not enter a Jamatkhana unless a community member specifically invites you.
- Ask before photographing people, especially women and children, and never photograph worship.
- Dress modestly, as you would anywhere in the valley. Our guide to tourist etiquette in Gilgit-Baltistan goes through it.
- If you are invited to a family meal, accept. Hospitality is central, and a small gift of sweets is welcome.
- Expect noise and traffic near community venues in the evening, and some shops and guesthouse kitchens working short hours.
- Say "Salgirah Mubarak" if someone greets you with it. It is warmly received.
For wider context on the people and customs of the valley, read our piece on Hunza culture. To plan a trip, our Gilgit and Hunza page is the place to start.
Frequently asked questions
When is Salgirah in 2026?
Salgirah is on 12 October, which is a Monday in 2026. It follows the Gregorian calendar, so it does not depend on moon sighting.
Why do some sources say Salgirah is on 13 December?
That was the birthday of the previous Imam, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. Since the succession in February 2025, the community celebrates on 12 October, the birthday of Prince Rahim Aga Khan V.
Can tourists attend Salgirah celebrations in Hunza?
Not as an event. Gatherings are held in Jamatkhanas and community halls for members. Visitors can enjoy the festive atmosphere from outside and may be invited to a family meal.
What is the 23 October celebration in Hunza?
It marks the anniversary of the first visit of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV to Hunza in 1960. Communities in Hunza, Gilgit and Ghizer mark it with gatherings, speeches and prayers.
Is Hunza open to visitors in October?
Yes. October is autumn season, with colour in the valley and colder nights, though high passes can see early snow. Check road conditions with your hotel before heading to upper Hunza.
