Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026गुरु नानक जयन्ती

When is Guru Nanak Jayanti?

Observed on Kartik Purnima. Dates follow the Panchang for New Delhi and can differ by a day in other places — check the Panchang for your city.

What Guru Nanak Jayanti means

Guru Nanak Jayanti — the Prakash Purab or Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Dev — is the most important festival of the Sikh faith, celebrated on Kartik Purnima. It honours the first of the ten Sikh Gurus, whose message of one God, equality and service has spread across the world.

Guru Nanak taught three simple duties: naam japna (remembering God's name), kirat karni (earning by honest work) and vand chhakna (sharing with others). He rejected caste and gender discrimination, and founded the tradition of the langar, where all sit together as equals to eat. Many Hindus, especially in Punjab and Sindh, revere him deeply.

The story of Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak was born in 1469 at Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, to Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta. As a boy he questioned rituals, refusing for instance the sacred thread unless it was "a thread of compassion and contentment".

While working at Sultanpur Lodhi he disappeared into the river Bein for three days and returned saying, "There is no Hindu, there is no Musalman" — all are children of one God. He then travelled for many years on journeys (udasis) across India and beyond, with his companions Bhai Mardana and Bhai Bala, singing hymns that are now part of the Guru Granth Sahib. He spent his last years farming at Kartarpur, where he died in 1539.

Guru Nanak Jayanti puja vidhi, step by step

These are the common Sikh observances; anyone of any faith is welcome in a gurdwara.

What you need

• A head covering for the gurdwara
• Time to give in seva

When to do the puja

In 2026 Guru Nanak Jayanti falls on Tuesday, 24 November; in 2027, on Sunday, 14 November (Kartik Purnima). Gurdwaras announce their programmes, which often begin two days earlier with the Akhand Path. See the Panchang for your city.

Steps

1. Prabhat pheri. In the days before, join the early-morning hymn processions through the neighbourhood.
2. Akhand Path and kirtan. Visit the gurdwara to hear the completion of the Akhand Path, kirtan and katha.
3. Langar seva. Help cook, serve or clean in the langar, and eat with everyone.
4. Light lamps. In the evening, gurdwaras and homes are lit with lamps and lights.

Offerings & food: Karah prasad; service (seva) in the langar

Mantras for Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak Jayanti across India

Celebrated by Sikh communities everywhere, with the largest gatherings at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Nankana Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi and Kartarpur; a public holiday in India

Amritsar

The Golden Temple is illuminated and draws vast crowds for kirtan and langar.

Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur (Pakistan)

Pilgrims, including from India through the Kartarpur Corridor, gather at the places of his birth and passing.

Sultanpur Lodhi

Celebrations at Gurdwara Ber Sahib, beside the river Bein.

Worldwide

Sikh communities hold nagar kirtans in cities across the world.

Prayers to recite

Do’s and don’ts

Frequently asked questions