Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026: Date, History, Nagar Kirtan and Wishes
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026 falls on Tuesday, 24 November. Here are the verified Purnima timings, the three-day Gurpurab schedule, langar etiquette and respectful wishes.
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026 falls on Tuesday, 24 November 2026, and it marks the 557th birth anniversary (Prakash Purab) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru. This guide gives you the verified date and Purnima timings, the three-day schedule most gurdwaras follow, what happens at a nagar kirtan and langar, and respectful wishes you can send to family, staff and customers.
Key Takeaways
- Gurpurab 2026 is on Tuesday, 24 November, the Kartik Purnima. Purnima tithi runs from 11:42 PM on 23 November to 8:23 PM on 24 November (New Delhi time).
- It is the 557th Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who was born in 1469 at Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.
- Most gurdwaras begin an Akhand Path two days earlier and hold a nagar kirtan on the day before Gurpurab, so expect processions around 23 November.
- Langar is open to everyone regardless of religion, caste or status. Cover your head, remove your shoes and sit together on the floor.
- Businesses should keep greetings simple and sincere, plan for road closures, and avoid using sacred imagery to sell products.
Updated October 2026.
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026: Quick Answer
If you only need the date for your calendar, here it is in one place. Timings are for New Delhi from Drik Panchang; your city will differ by a few minutes.
| Detail | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, 24 November 2026 |
| Occasion | 557th Prakash Purab (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji |
| Purnima tithi begins | 11:42 PM, Monday 23 November 2026 |
| Purnima tithi ends | 8:23 PM, Tuesday 24 November 2026 |
| Hindu calendar | Kartik Purnima (also Dev Deepawali in Varanasi) |
| Holiday status | Listed among 2026 gazetted holidays for central government offices; banks and state offices follow their own state lists |
You can cross-check the date and your local Purnima timings on the Drik Panchang Guru Nanak Jayanti page. One point causes confusion every year, so it is worth stating plainly: the popular observance follows the lunar calendar and lands on Kartik Purnima. Some versions of the Nanakshahi calendar have proposed different fixed dates over the years, and a few websites copy those, which is why you sometimes see 14 or 15 November floating around. For 2026, gurdwaras across India and official holiday lists we checked point to 24 November. If you want to be certain about local programmes, your nearest gurdwara committee or the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which manages the major gurdwaras of Punjab, publishes schedules closer to the date.
Who Was Guru Nanak Dev Ji?
Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469 in Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, a village near Lahore that is today called Nankana Sahib. His parents were Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta, and his elder sister Bebe Nanaki is remembered as the first person to recognise his spiritual nature. As a young man he worked as a storekeeper in Sultanpur Lodhi, and the story goes that while bathing in the Kali Bein rivulet he disappeared for three days and returned with the words “There is no Hindu, there is no Musalman”, a statement that all people are equal before one Creator.
He then spent more than two decades travelling on long journeys called udasis, mostly on foot, accompanied by his companion Bhai Mardana, who played the rabab. Sikh tradition records journeys across the Indian subcontinent and as far as present-day Sri Lanka, Tibet and the Middle East. Everywhere he went he used conversation and kirtan (sung poetry) rather than sermons to question empty ritual, caste prejudice and the treatment of women.
In his later years he settled at Kartarpur on the banks of the Ravi, where he farmed his own land and built a community around shared work, worship and food. He passed away in 1539 after naming Bhai Lehna, renamed Guru Angad Dev Ji, as his successor. His hymns, beginning with the Mool Mantar and the Japji Sahib, open the Guru Granth Sahib, the living Guru of the Sikhs.
The three principles every Sikh child learns
- Naam Japna — remembering and meditating on the name of the one Creator (Ik Onkar).
- Kirat Karni — earning an honest living through your own work, without cheating or exploitation.
- Vand Chakna — sharing what you earn with others, especially those in need.
For anyone running a business, the second and third principles are worth a moment of reflection. Honest dealing and sharing with your community are not a festival slogan; they are a working philosophy that has fed millions through langar for five centuries.
How Gurpurab Is Celebrated: The Three-Day Schedule
Celebrations are not limited to a single day. Most gurdwaras in India follow a similar pattern, though the exact timings are fixed by each local committee.
| When (2026) | What happens | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks before | Prabhat pheris: early-morning processions singing shabads through the neighbourhood | Join in or step out to watch; they usually start before sunrise |
| Sunday 22 November (approx.) | Akhand Path begins: a 48-hour non-stop reading of the Guru Granth Sahib | Visit and sit quietly for some time; volunteers take turns reading |
| Monday 23 November (approx.) | Nagar kirtan through the city, led by the Panj Pyare | Watch from the roadside, accept prasad, plan travel around road closures |
| Tuesday 24 November | Bhog of the Akhand Path, kirtan, katha (talks), langar, illuminations at night | Attend the diwan, eat at the langar, help with seva |
The dates in the middle column are approximate because each gurdwara times its Akhand Path so that the bhog (completion) falls on the morning of Gurpurab. Check the notice board at your local gurdwara or its social media page.
What Happens at a Nagar Kirtan
A nagar kirtan is a procession that carries the Guru Granth Sahib through the streets on a decorated vehicle, with the sangat (congregation) walking behind singing hymns. “Nagar” means town and “kirtan” means devotional singing, so the name simply means singing through the town.
What you will see
- The Panj Pyare — five men dressed in saffron or blue, carrying swords, who walk at the front representing the five beloved ones initiated by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
- Nishan Sahib — the triangular Sikh flag carried at the head of the procession.
- Gatka — a Sikh martial art performed with sticks and swords by trained groups, often young people.
- Kirtani jathas — groups singing shabads from trucks or on foot, often with school bands.
- Sewadars sweeping the road — volunteers clean the route ahead of the palki so the Guru Granth Sahib travels over a clean path.
- Stalls of prasad and drinks — families and shopkeepers set up free stalls along the route.
Etiquette if you are watching
Cover your head with a scarf or handkerchief when the palki carrying the Guru Granth Sahib passes. Do not smoke, chew tobacco or drink alcohol along the route. Accept prasad with both hands. If you want photographs, ask before photographing people up close, and do not climb on vehicles or block the path for a better angle.
For commuters, nagar kirtans in Delhi, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Mumbai and other cities with large Sikh populations can take several hours to pass. Traffic police usually issue route advisories a day or two before. If you run a shop or office on a known route, tell staff and customers in advance and plan deliveries for the morning.
Langar: The Community Kitchen Anyone Can Eat At
Langar is the free community meal served at every gurdwara, every day, not only on Gurpurab. Guru Nanak Dev Ji started the practice so that people of every caste and background would sit together in a row (pangat) and eat the same simple food. On Gurpurab the scale goes up sharply, and large gurdwaras serve many thousands of people through the day.
How to eat at a langar: a simple step-by-step
- Leave your shoes at the joda ghar (shoe counter). Volunteers look after them for free.
- Wash your hands and feet at the taps provided.
- Cover your head. Spare scarves are almost always available at the entrance.
- Enter the langar hall and sit on the floor mats in a row. Elderly or unwell people can use the tables provided in many gurdwaras.
- Hold out your hands, palms together, to receive roti. Sewadars will bring dal, sabzi and kheer or karah prasad.
- Take only what you can finish. Ask for more rather than leave food.
- Return your plate to the washing area, or follow the volunteers’ instructions.
You do not need to be Sikh, you do not need to pay and nobody will ask why you came. If you want to contribute, the best gift is your time. Volunteers are always welcome to help chop vegetables, roll rotis, serve or wash utensils. Donations of flour, dal, ghee or money can be given at the gurdwara office, which will give you a receipt.
Guru Nanak Jayanti Wishes and Messages
The standard greeting is “Gurpurab diyan lakh lakh vadhaiyan”, which roughly means “a hundred thousand congratulations on Gurpurab”. “Guru Nanak Jayanti di vadhai” works too. Here are messages you can adapt, grouped by who you are sending them to.
For family and friends
- Gurpurab diyan lakh lakh vadhaiyan. May Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s light fill your home with peace and good health.
- On the 557th Prakash Purab, may we all learn to work honestly, share freely and remember the One. Happy Gurpurab.
- Wishing you and your family a blessed Guru Nanak Jayanti. Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh.
For employees and colleagues
- Warm wishes to the whole team on Guru Nanak Jayanti. May the spirit of seva and honest work guide us all year.
- Happy Gurpurab to you and your family. Enjoy the holiday and the langar.
For customers and clients
- Our team wishes you a peaceful Guru Nanak Jayanti. Gurpurab diyan vadhaiyan.
- On Prakash Purab, we thank you for your trust and wish you and your loved ones happiness and good health.
Keep customer messages short and free of discount codes. A festival greeting that ends with “Flat 30% off” reads as if you are using a religious occasion to sell, and many Sikh customers find that disrespectful.
A Practical Guide for Businesses Around Gurpurab
Because this site is read mostly by small business owners, here is a short checklist for the week of 23–24 November 2026.
| Area | Do | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Staff | Confirm the holiday early; let Sikh staff take time for Akhand Path or nagar kirtan | Scheduling mandatory meetings on 24 November |
| Operations | Check local traffic advisories and shift deliveries before the procession | Assuming normal delivery times in procession areas |
| Social media | Post a simple greeting with a respectful image such as diyas or a gurdwara at night | Using images of the Gurus on products, offers or memes |
| Community | Sponsor water or tea stalls, or send staff volunteers to a langar | Putting heavy brand banners on seva stalls |
| Food businesses | Offer vegetarian options and label them clearly | Serving tobacco or alcohol near gurdwara routes |
For example, a sweet shop in Ludhiana might set up a free tea stall on the nagar kirtan route with only a small board carrying its name. That earns more goodwill than any discount banner and is entirely in keeping with the spirit of the day. If your company does arrange seva or a donation and wants local media to know about it, a short factual note to the city desk is enough; let the work speak rather than the brand.
Gurdwaras Worth Visiting on Gurpurab
Any gurdwara near you will be beautiful on Gurpurab night, but these are some of the best-known places in India, along with what to expect.
- Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar — the most visited Sikh shrine. The complex is lit up and fireworks are common. Expect very large crowds; go early in the morning or late at night.
- Gurdwara Ber Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi (Kapurthala district) — linked to Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s years as a storekeeper and his enlightenment at the Kali Bein.
- Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, Delhi — central, easy to reach by Metro, with huge langars.
- Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur district — a town near the border named after Guru Nanak Dev Ji, a short distance across the Ravi from Kartarpur.
- Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Bihar and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded — important pilgrimage centres that also hold large Gurpurab programmes.
Note that Nankana Sahib (Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthplace) and Kartarpur Sahib (where he spent his final years) are both in Pakistan. Travel arrangements for Indian pilgrims to these shrines depend on government decisions that change from year to year, so check the latest official announcements rather than relying on past years.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Guru Nanak Jayanti in 2026?
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026 is on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. Purnima tithi begins at 11:42 PM on 23 November and ends at 8:23 PM on 24 November, New Delhi time.
Which birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is it in 2026?
It is the 557th Prakash Purab (birth anniversary). Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469.
Is Guru Nanak Jayanti a bank holiday in 2026?
It appears on the 2026 gazetted holiday lists for central government offices. Bank holidays are set state by state under the RBI’s holiday calendar, so check your state’s list or your bank branch before planning any transaction for 24 November.
Can non-Sikhs attend the nagar kirtan and langar?
Yes. Gurdwaras welcome everyone. Cover your head, remove your shoes, avoid tobacco and alcohol, and sit with others in the langar hall.
Why do some calendars show a different date?
The traditional observance follows the lunar calendar and falls on Kartik Purnima. Some calendars use fixed solar dates, which is why you may see mid-November dates elsewhere. For 2026, the widely followed date is 24 November.
What should I write in a Gurpurab greeting?
“Gurpurab diyan lakh lakh vadhaiyan” is the classic greeting. Add a line about peace, honest work or sharing, and leave out sales offers.
Plan Your Week Around Prakash Purab
Mark 24 November in your calendar, expect a nagar kirtan on or around 23 November, and check your local gurdwara for exact Akhand Path and diwan timings. Whether you join the langar, volunteer for an hour or simply send a heartfelt message to someone who matters, the day asks only for what Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught: remember the One, earn honestly and share with others.
