Gurpurab 2026: Guru Nanak Jayanti Date, Celebrations and Significance
Gurpurab, also known as Guru Nanak Jayanti or Prakash Utsav, marks the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469 to 1539), the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. It is the most sacred festival in the Sikh calendar, celebrated with prayers, hymns, processions, and community meals. In 2026, Gurpurab falls on Tuesday, 24 November, marking the 557th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
When Is Gurpurab in 2026?
Gurpurab 2026 is on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. The festival is observed on Kartik Purnima, the full moon day of the lunar month of Kartik, which is why its Gregorian date shifts every year, usually landing in October or November.
One thing worth knowing: Guru Nanak Jayanti is one of the few Sikh festivals still calculated using the traditional Bikrami (Vikram Samvat) lunar calendar, alongside Vaisakhi and Bandi Chhor Divas. Most other Sikh observances now follow the Nanakshahi solar calendar, so this date follows the moon, not a fixed solar position.
The Three Days of Gurpurab 2026
Gurpurab is celebrated over three days. Here are the dates for 2026:
| Day | Observance | Date (2026) | What Happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akhand Path begins | Sunday, 22 November | The 48-hour uninterrupted reading of the Guru Granth Sahib commences in gurdwaras |
| 2 | Nagar Kirtan | Monday, 23 November | The grand street procession with the Panj Pyare leading and hymns sung along the route |
| 3 | Gurpurab (Guru Nanak Jayanti) | Tuesday, 24 November | The main day: prayers at dawn, kirtan, langar, and illuminated gurdwaras |
Gurpurab and the Desi Calendar
Kartik Purnima, the full moon on which Gurpurab is observed, falls in the desi month of Katak (Kartik in the Hindu calendar), the month that follows Assu. Katak is the autumn month of the desi calendar, when the harvest season winds down across Punjab and the air turns crisp. See our Katak month page for the month’s dates, weather, and traditions.
Because Gurpurab follows the lunar cycle while the desi months are solar, its exact Gregorian date moves each year, but it always lands in the Kartik/Katak season, around the November full moon.
How Gurpurab Is Celebrated
Across Punjab, India, and the worldwide Sikh diaspora, Gurpurab is celebrated with a familiar set of traditions:
Prabhat Pheris: In the days before the main celebration, devotees gather for early morning processions, singing hymns (shabads) through the streets before dawn.
Akhand Path: A 48-hour nonstop reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, beginning two days before the main day and concluding on the morning of Gurpurab.
Nagar Kirtan: The grand procession through city streets, led by the Panj Pyare (the five beloved ones), with the Guru Granth Sahib carried on a decorated palanquin (Palki Sahib) and devotees singing along the route.
Langar: Free community meals are served to everyone at gurdwaras, reflecting the Sikh values of equality, humility, and selfless service. The traditional offering of kadah prasad (sweet semolina pudding) is shared with all.
Golden Temple illumination: The Golden Temple in Amritsar is illuminated end to end, drawing thousands of devotees who gather for the celebrations.
Gurpurab Dates in Coming Years
Planning ahead? Here are the main-day (Kartik Purnima) dates for the next few years:
| Year | Day | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday | 24 November 2026 |
| 2027 | Sunday | 14 November 2027 |
| 2028 | Thursday | 2 November 2028 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Gurpurab in 2026?
Gurpurab 2026 falls on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. This is the main day of Guru Nanak Jayanti, observed on Kartik Purnima, the full moon day of the lunar month of Kartik.
What are the 3 days of Gurpurab 2026?
The three days are: the Akhand Path begins (Sunday, 22 November), the Nagar Kirtan procession (Monday, 23 November), and the main Gurpurab celebration (Tuesday, 24 November).
Why is Gurpurab celebrated on different dates each year?
Guru Nanak Jayanti is still calculated using the Bikrami lunar calendar, so it is observed on Kartik Purnima (the November full moon). Because the lunar year is shorter than the solar year, the Gregorian date shifts each year, usually falling in November.
Which desi month does Gurpurab fall in?
Gurpurab falls in the month of Katak (Kartik), the desi month that follows Assu and marks the autumn season in Punjab, when the November full moon arrives.
What is langar during Gurpurab?
Langar is the free community meal served to everyone at gurdwaras during Gurpurab. It reflects the Sikh values of equality, humility, and selfless service taught by Guru Nanak, and everyone sits together as equals regardless of background.
