Guru Nanak Jayanti — also commonly called Gurpurab or Prakash Utsav — is the annual celebration of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.
It falls on the full-moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, which typically corresponds to October or November in the Gregorian calendar.
In 2025, Guru Nanak Jayanti will be observed on Wednesday, November 5 marking the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
Why is it celebrated?
The festival commemorates the life, teachings and legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who preached the principles of one God, equality of all humans, honest living, and selfless service.
His core teachings include:
Naam Japo — meditating on God’s name
Kirat Karo — earning an honest living
Vand Chhakko — sharing resources with others in need.
The day is both spiritual and communal — it encourages reflection on the values of humility, service and unity among people of all backgrounds. Incredible India
How is it observed?
Observances are colourful and varied, but some common rituals include:
Akhand Path: A continuous 48-hour reading of the sacred Sikh scripture (Guru Granth Sahib) in Gurdwaras before the day of celebration.
Prabhat Pheri: Early-morning processions through neighbourhoods, singing hymns (Kirtan) and carrying the holy book in a decorated palanquin.
Nagar Kirtan: A grand procession often led by the Panj Pyare (Five Beloved Ones), including martial-arts displays (Gatka) and brass-band music.
Langar: A free community meal served at Gurdwaras where everyone — irrespective of faith, caste or status — eats together, symbolising equality and selfless service.
Gurdwaras decorated with lights and flowers; congregations gather for hymns, Katha (scriptural discourse) and prayers like Asa-di-Var in the early morning.
Historical & Cultural Context
Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469 in Rai Bhoi Ki Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, in present-day Pakistan). www.ndtv.com+1 His birth on Kartik Purnima is considered significant because of its alignment with the full moon and its symbolic union of light (spiritual) and fulfilment of life’s purpose. Over centuries, Sikhs have celebrated this day to honor his vision of social justice, community service and spiritual liberation.
Significance in 2025
In 2025, observing Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 5 underscores both traditional reverence and modern relevance. With increasing global attention to human rights, inter-faith harmony and community service, the teachings of Guru Nanak resonate widely beyond the Sikh community. Moreover, the date and observance affect national calendars — banks and markets in several Indian states will observe the holiday, and educational institutions often schedule related events.