Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026 (Gurpurab) falls on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. It marks the 557th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. It is observed on Kartik Purnima, the full moon day of the month of Kartik. The festival usually begins two days earlier with an Akhand Path, a 48-hour continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Guru Nanak Jayanti is also called Gurpurab, Prakash Utsav and Prakash Purab. It is the most important festival in the Sikh calendar, and it is celebrated with prayers, hymns, processions and free community meals (langar) in gurdwaras around the world. This guide explains the date and tithi timings for 2026, the life and message of Guru Nanak, the way the festival is celebrated, and simple etiquette for anyone visiting a gurdwara for the first time. It is written in plain words for readers of all faiths.
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, 24 November 2026 |
| Occasion | 557th birth anniversary (Prakash Purab) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji |
| Also called | Gurpurab, Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav, Guru Nanak Dev Ji Jayanti |
| Hindu lunar date | Kartik Shukla Purnima (full moon of Kartik) |
| Purnima tithi begins | 11:42 PM on 23 November 2026 (IST) |
| Purnima tithi ends | 8:23 PM on 24 November 2026 (IST) |
| Akhand Path | Starts about 48 hours before, around 22 November, and ends on the morning of Gurpurab |
| Nagar Kirtan | Usually the day before, around 23 November |
| Amrit Vela (early morning prayers) | Roughly 3:00 AM to 6:00 AM |
| Observed by | Sikhs worldwide, Sindhi Nanakpanthi families, and many people of other faiths |
The tithi timings above follow the New Delhi panchang published by Drik Panchang and are given in Indian Standard Time. If you live in another country, the clock times will be different for you, but the day stays the same in most places.
Why Is Gurpurab on 24 November in 2026?
Gurpurab follows the lunar calendar. It is kept on Kartik Purnima, so the English-calendar date changes every year, usually falling in late October or November. In 2025 it was on 5 November, and in 2026 it moves later to 24 November.
In 2026 the Purnima tithi begins late on the night of 23 November and lasts until the evening of 24 November. Since the full moon tithi is present at sunrise on 24 November, that is the day Gurpurab is observed. Local gurdwara committees and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) announce the final programme, so please check with your own gurdwara. Some websites show different dates because of old or copied pages, so rely on the gurdwara announcements and a trusted panchang.
Gurpurab 2026 Programme: What Usually Happens When
Every gurdwara plans its own schedule. This is the common pattern.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Days and weeks before | Prabhat Pheris: early morning processions that walk through neighbourhoods singing hymns |
| About 22 November | Akhand Path begins, a non-stop reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib |
| About 23 November | Nagar Kirtan: a grand procession with the Guru Granth Sahib on a decorated palanquin |
| Early morning, 24 November | Akhand Path ends, Asa di Vaar kirtan, then Katha (explanation of the hymns) and kirtan |
| Midday, 24 November | Ardas (the community prayer), Karah Prasad and langar for all |
| Evening, 24 November | Rehras Sahib and kirtan, with gurdwaras lit up with lamps and lights |
Who Was Guru Nanak Dev Ji?
Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469 in the village of Talwandi, which is now called Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, near Lahore. His father was Mehta Kalu (Kalyan Das) and his mother was Mata Tripta. The popular date of his birth is Kartik Purnima, and that is when Gurpurab is celebrated. Some historians point to 15 April 1469 as the date of his birth. Both dates are respected, but the festival is observed on Kartik Purnima.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 1469 | Born at Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib) |
| As a young man | Lived at Sultanpur Lodhi and worked as a storekeeper for Nawab Daulat Khan Lodi |
| Around 1487 | Married Mata Sulakhani. They had two sons, Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das |
| Early adult years | According to tradition, he disappeared into the Bein river for three days and came back with the words “There is no Hindu and no Muslim” |
| Next two decades | Travelled widely in four long journeys called Udasis, spreading the message of one God |
| Around 1522 | Settled at Kartarpur on the Ravi river, farmed the land and started the practice of shared meals |
| 22 September 1539 | Left this world at Kartarpur, after naming Guru Angad as his successor |
Please note that early details of his life come from traditional accounts passed down in Sikh history, such as the Janamsakhis.
The Message of Guru Nanak: Three Simple Pillars
Guru Nanak taught that there is only one God, who is present in everyone and everything. This idea is written as “Ik Onkar” at the start of the Mool Mantar, which opens the Guru Granth Sahib. His teaching is often summed up in three pillars.
| Pillar | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Naam Japo | Remember God with love and gratitude every day |
| Kirat Karo | Earn an honest living through your own hard work |
| Vand Chhako | Share what you have with others, especially those in need |
He also rejected caste divisions, empty rituals and superstition, and he spoke for the dignity of women and the equality of all people. The 974 hymns he composed are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs. It has 1,430 pages and is treated as the living Guru. His best known composition, Japji Sahib, is recited by Sikhs every morning.
What Does Gurpurab or Prakash Utsav Mean?
“Gurpurab” joins two words: “Guru” (teacher) and “Purab” (festival or special day). It is the festival of the Guru. The word “Prakash” means light, so Prakash Utsav and Prakash Purab mean the celebration of the light that the Guru brought into the world. The day is about gratitude and learning, and not just about the birthday.
How Is Guru Nanak Jayanti Celebrated?
Akhand Path
Two days before Gurpurab, volunteer readers called granthis begin a continuous reading of all 1,430 pages of the Guru Granth Sahib. They read in turns without a break, and the reading ends on the morning of Gurpurab, in about 48 hours. Anyone can sit and listen quietly.
Nagar Kirtan
On the day before Gurpurab, a big procession moves through the streets. The Guru Granth Sahib is carried on a flower-decked palanquin, and the Panj Pyare, the five beloved ones, lead the way. Devotees sing hymns, and there are also bands, Gatka (Sikh martial art) displays, and stalls giving out water and snacks along the route.
Gurpurab morning
The day starts before sunrise, during Amrit Vela. After the Akhand Path ends, the congregation sings Asa di Vaar, a long morning hymn of Guru Nanak. Then come Katha, kirtan, the Ardas and the sharing of Karah Prasad. Many Sikh families also recite their daily Nitnem prayers before going to the gurdwara.
Evening
In the evening, Rehras Sahib is recited, followed by kirtan and sometimes a Kavi Darbar (poetry gathering). Gurdwaras and homes are lit with lamps, candles and lights. Fireworks are also part of the celebration in some places.
Langar and Karah Prasad: Food for Everyone
Langar is the free community kitchen found in every gurdwara. It was started by Guru Nanak himself at Kartarpur. On Gurpurab, thousands of people, and in some large gurdwaras many more, sit in rows (pangat) on the floor and eat the same simple vegetarian meal, whatever their religion, caste or background. Typical items are dal, vegetables, roti and kheer. The food is cooked and served by volunteers, and this selfless service is called seva.
Karah Prasad is the warm sweet given at the end of the Ardas. It is made from equal parts of whole wheat flour, ghee and sugar.
A simple way to make Karah Prasad at home:
- Heat 1 cup of ghee in a heavy pan.
- Add 1 cup of whole wheat flour and roast on a low flame, stirring all the time, until it turns golden brown and smells nutty.
- In another pan, dissolve 1 cup of sugar in about 3 cups of hot water.
- Slowly pour the hot sugar water into the roasted flour. Stand back, as it will bubble. Stir continuously.
- Cook for a few minutes until the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the pan.
By tradition, Karah Prasad is prepared with clean hands and a covered head, with the mind focused on the Guru’s name.
Visiting a Gurdwara on Gurpurab: Simple Etiquette
All people are welcome in a gurdwara, whatever their faith. These simple customs show respect.
- Remove your shoes and wash your hands and feet at the entrance.
- Cover your head with a scarf or a clean cloth. Gurdwaras usually keep spare head coverings at the door.
- Do not bring or use tobacco, alcohol or intoxicants, and avoid meat inside the gurdwara premises.
- Bow or stand quietly before the Guru Granth Sahib, and sit on the floor. Do not turn your back to it or point your feet towards it.
- Accept Karah Prasad with both hands cupped together.
- Take your seat in the langar hall, eat what you need, and do not waste food. You are welcome to help with serving or washing up.
- Keep your phone on silent, and ask before taking photographs.
ent permission and visas, and the arrangements can change each year. If you plan to go, check the latest announcements from the Ministry of External Affairs, the SGPC and the official travel channels.
Guru Nanak Jayanti and Kartik Purnima
Gurpurab falls on Kartik Purnima, a day that is also important in the Hindu calendar. On the same day many Hindus take holy dips in rivers and light lamps, and in Varanasi the festival of Dev Deepawali is celebrated. These are separate traditions, and Gurpurab is a Sikh festival. Guru Nanak Jayanti is a very important day for the Sikh community, and it is also observed with devotion by Sindhi Nanakpanthi families, who follow the teachings of Guru Nanak. Many other people join in the langar and the processions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Guru Nanak Jayanti in 2026?
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026 is on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. It is the 557th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
What is the Purnima tithi time for Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026?
According to Drik Panchang, the Purnima tithi begins at 11:42 PM IST on 23 November 2026 and ends at 8:23 PM IST on 24 November 2026.
Why does the date of Guru Nanak Jayanti change every year?
It is based on the lunar calendar and is observed on Kartik Purnima, the full moon of the month of Kartik. Because lunar and solar calendars do not line up exactly, the English date changes each year.
Is Guru Nanak Jayanti a Hindu or Sikh festival?
It is a Sikh festival that celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. It falls on Kartik Purnima, which is also a day of importance in the Hindu calendar, and many people of different faiths take part in the celebrations.
How many years of Guru Nanak’s birth are being celebrated in 2026?
The 557th birth anniversary is celebrated in 2026. In 2025 it was the 556th.
What is Akhand Path?
It is a continuous reading of all 1,430 pages of the Guru Granth Sahib by relays of readers. It takes about 48 hours and is timed to end on the morning of Gurpurab.
What is Nagar Kirtan?
It is a religious procession in which the Guru Granth Sahib is carried on a decorated palanquin, led by the Panj Pyare, while the congregation sings hymns. It is usually held the day before Gurpurab.
What is langar?
Langar is a free vegetarian community meal served in gurdwaras to everyone, regardless of religion, caste or status. It was started by Guru Nanak and is a symbol of equality and service.
What is Karah Prasad made of?
It is made from equal parts of whole wheat flour, ghee and sugar, cooked with water. It is given to everyone at the end of the Ardas.
What are the main teachings of Guru Nanak?
Believe in one God, remember God every day (Naam Japo), earn an honest living (Kirat Karo), share with others (Vand Chhako), and treat all people as equal.
Can non-Sikhs visit a gurdwara on Gurpurab?
Yes. All visitors are welcome. Cover your head, remove your shoes, avoid intoxicants and sit with respect. You are also welcome to join the langar.
Is Guru Nanak Jayanti a public holiday?
In India it is observed as a holiday in most states. Please check your state’s official holiday list for 2026.
Conclusion
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026 on Tuesday, 24 November is a day to remember a simple but powerful message: one God, honest work, sharing with others and respect for every person. Whether you join the Nagar Kirtan, listen to the Akhand Path, sit in the langar hall or just pause to read a few lines of Japji Sahib, the spirit of the day is the same. Check your local gurdwara for the exact programme, and plan to arrive early, as the days around Gurpurab are busy. Wishing you and your family a peaceful and blessed Gurpurab.