Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026

Guru Nanak Jayanti, widely known as Gurpurab, celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and its first of ten Gurus. Born in 1469 CE in Nankana Sahib (in present-day Pakistan), Guru Nanak devoted his life to spreading the message of Ik Onkar, the oneness of God, and preaching love, equality, selfless service, and honest living to all, regardless of caste, creed, or religion.

The festival falls on the full moon day (Purnima) of the lunar month of Kartik, typically arriving in October or November. This tithi is considered especially sacred because the full moon's brightness is seen as a symbol of the divine light and wisdom that Guru Nanak brought into the world, illuminating paths of compassion and devotion for millions of followers across generations.

For Sikhs and many Hindus who revere the Guru, this day is far more than a birthday commemoration. It is a living celebration of his teachings, a time to gather in community, listen to the holy scripture, sing kirtan, and renew one's commitment to seva (selfless service). The spirit of Gurpurab is joyful, inclusive, and deeply spiritual.

Guru Nanak Jayanti is observed on Kartik Purnima, the full moon tithi of the month of Kartik in the Hindu lunisolar calendar. The Purnima tithi can span across two calendar days, so the date of celebration is determined by which day the Purnima tithi is prevailing during the key hours of religious significance, particularly around sunrise and the main hours of the day. Unlike some Hindu festivals that follow strict muhurat windows tied to planetary positions, Gurpurab's primary observance centres on the entire day of Kartik Purnima, with the Akhand Path timed to conclude in the early morning hours of this day, making the local sunrise a critical reference point for scheduling.

This is why a single fixed Indian Standard Time (IST) is not universally valid for observance abroad or even across different regions. The tithi's precise start and end times shift with local sunrise, which varies by geographic location. A Purnima tithi that is active at sunrise in one city may have already elapsed, or not yet begun, at sunrise in another. For accurate observance, including the timing of the Akhand Path conclusion, Nagar Kirtan procession start, and Gurdwara diwans, the locally calculated tithi window aligned with your city's own sunrise is the correct guide.

Gurpurab observances typically begin two days before the main festival day and build in a beautiful crescendo of prayer, music, and community participation. Here are the core rituals observed:

• Akhand Path: A continuous, uninterrupted recitation of the entire Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the holy scripture, lasting approximately 48 hours. It begins two days before Gurpurab and is timed to conclude on the morning of the festival itself.
• Prabhat Pheris: Pre-dawn processions in which devotees walk through neighbourhoods singing hymns (shabads) from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. These processions typically begin several days before Gurpurab and create a spirit of collective devotion and awakening.
• Nagar Kirtan: A grand procession through the streets on the day of Gurpurab, led by the Panj Pyaras (Five Beloved Ones) and accompanied by the Guru Granth Sahib Ji on a decorated float. Devotees sing kirtan, and the procession is a vibrant public celebration of the Guru's teachings.
• Amrit Vela Prayer and Nitnem: Devotees wake before dawn during amrit vela (the ambrosial hours) to recite the five daily prayers (Nitnem), including Japji Sahib composed by Guru Nanak himself.
• Gurdwara Diwan (Congregation): The main ceremony at the Gurdwara includes kirtan (devotional singing), katha (spiritual discourse on the Guru's life and teachings), and the recitation of Ardas (the Sikh prayer of supplication).
• Langar (Community Kitchen): Free meals are served to all who visit, without distinction of background or belief, a direct expression of Guru Nanak's teaching of equality. Preparing and serving langar is itself considered an act of sacred seva.
• Illumination and Decoration: Gurdwaras and homes are lit with lamps and lights, echoing the symbolism of the full moon night and the spiritual light of the Guru's wisdom.