Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav, Guru Nanak Gurpurab, and Guru Nanak Dev Ji Jayanti, celebrates the birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak established a divine rule of truth that proclaimed the oneness of the Creator and creation. He confronted hypocrisy, challenged oppression, and asserted everyone’s right to dignity, liberty, justice, and divinity. 

This festival is celebrated in most parts of India, especially in the state of Punjab, where Sikhism is widely prevalent.

Read along with Wego to learn more about Guru Nanak Jayati.

When is Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrated? 

Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated on the day of the Full Moon during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartik. 

Guru Nanak was born on the Full Moon day of the Hindu lunisolar month Kartik in 1469. He was born in Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi, which is currently in the Shekhupura District of Pakistan, known as Nankana Sahib near Lahore. In 2026, Guru Nanak Jayanti will be celebrated on Tuesday, 24 November, marking his 557th birth anniversary. 

Guru Nanak Jayanti dates & public holiday 2026

In 2026, Guru Nanak Jayanti will be celebrated on 24 November. The lunar symbolic hour will start at 11:43 PM on 23 November 2026 and end at 08:23 PM on 24 November 2026.

Guru Nanak Jayanti is a gazetted holiday in India for the Sikh community. It is celebrated as a public holiday in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, West Bengal and other parts of India.

How is Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrated? 

Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated grandly by people of the Sikh community all around the world. For some, the celebrations begin a fortnight before and for some, two nights before. The devotion and feeling of divinity experienced are the same irrespective of the days. 

The nobility and grandness of the day look a bit different from those of other grand festivals in India. The celebration of the Guru Nanak Jayanti begins in the Gurudwaras. 

The festival usually begins with ‘Prabhat Pheris’ or early morning processions at Gurudwaras. Prabhat Pheris can be performed from a fortnight or two days prior to the festival. 

Akhand Path

48 hours before Guru Nanak Jayanti, the recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib begins. This is known as the ‘Akhand Path,’ which translates to uninterrupted prayer. 

Nagarkirtan

During this time, a procession called ‘Nagarkirtan’ takes place, led by five men (also referred to as panjpyaras or the five beloved ones) who were chosen to carry the Sikh triangular flag.

Gatka

In some parts of the country, Sikhs also celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti by performing Gatka, traditional Indian martial arts and acrobatics in the processions. 

On the day of the festival, several rituals are performed in honor of the guru. 

Kirtan

These include the morning hymns or ‘Asaa-ki-Vaar,’ hymns from the Sikh scripture or ‘Kirtan,’ and reciting dialogue from the scripture or Katha. 

Langar Sewa 

In Sikh tradition, “Langar” is the name for the community kitchen in a gurdwara that provides food to anyone in need, regardless of caste, class, religion, or gender. 

The basic idea behind langar is to welcome everyone as the Guru’s guests. Langars are prepared and served by volunteers, and they are considered to be holy work. Distributing food is considered a part of community service or “seva” in the Sikh culture. By helping those in need of food, one serves the divine

On Guru Nanak Jayanti, langars are served, which attracts many people from all over the town or city. Traditional langar usually consists of rice, flat bread or chapatis, pulses or tadka dal, vegetable curry or sabzi, and pickles. Kada Prasad is a traditional sweet that is made and distributed in large quantities for this festival.

 

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