KateCurmi92 at 23:22, 14 February 2026

2026-02-14T23:22:45Z

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{{Short description|Sikh festival}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Nanak Gurpurab<br>ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਪੁਰਬ
| image = Akal Takht illuminated, in Harmandir Sahib complex, Amritsar.jpg
| imagesize = 220px
| caption = [[Akal Takht]] illuminated on [[Guru Nanak]]'s Birthday, in [[Harmandir Sahib]] complex, [[Amritsar]].
| official_name = Guru Nanak Gurpurab Bal
| nickname = Parkash Purab Guru Nanak
| observedby = [[Sikhism|Sikhs]], [[Nanakpanthi]] and many non-Sikhs
| significance = Commemoration of the nativity of Nanak
| date = [[Katak]] [[Purnima|Puranmashi]] 1469
| date2019 = 12 November<ref name="nanakshahi">{{cite web |title=Movable Holidays |url=https://nanakshahi.net/calendar/movable/ |website=nanakshahi.net |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-date=30 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830130425/https://nanakshahi.net/calendar/movable/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| date2020 = 30 November<ref>{{cite web |title=Movable Holidays |url=https://nanakshahi.net/calendar/movable/ |website=nanakshahi.net |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-date=30 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830130425/https://nanakshahi.net/calendar/movable/ |url-status=dead |at=Set year to 2020, and click "Get Dates" }}</ref>
| date2021 = 19 November<ref>{{cite web |title=Movable Holidays |url=https://nanakshahi.net/calendar/movable/ |website=nanakshahi.net |access-date=22 November 2018 |archive-date=30 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830130425/https://nanakshahi.net/calendar/movable/ |url-status=dead |at=Set year to 2021, and click "Get Dates" }}</ref>
| observances = Festival
| type = Religious, cultural, international
| date2022 = 8 November<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.qppstudio.net/global-holidays-observances/guru-nanak-jayanti.htm | title=When is Guru Nanak Jayanti for the next 10 years (2022 to 2032) ? | date=27 November 2023 }}</ref>
| date2023 = 27 November<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.qppstudio.net/global-holidays-observances/guru-nanak-jayanti.htm | title=When is Guru Nanak Jayanti for the next 10 years (2022 to 2032) ? | date=27 November 2023 }}</ref>
| date2024 = 15 November<ref>{{cite news |title=Stock Market Holiday: Are NSE, BSE Open Or Closed On November 15 For Guru Nanak Jayanti? Check Here |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/markets/stock-market-holiday-are-nse-bse-open-or-closed-on-november-15-for-guru-nanak-jayanti-check-here-article-115322022 |access-date=15 November 2024 |work=Times Now |date=15 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
| date2025 = 5 November<ref>{{cite web |title=Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024, 2025 and 2026 |url=https://publicholidays.in/guru-nanak-jayanti/ |website=Public Holidays |access-date=16 November 2024}}</ref>
| celebrations = gift-giving, gurdwara services
| startedby = Nanak
}}
{{Sikhism sidebar}}
'''Guru Nanak Gurpurab''' (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਗੁਰਪੁਰਬ {{Small|([[Gurmukhi]])}}), also known as '''Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav''' (ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਉਤਸਵ) and '''Guru Nanak Jayanti''' (ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਯੰਤੀ), celebrates the birth of the first [[Sikh gurus|Sikh guru]], [[Guru Nanak]].<ref name="Purewal">{{cite web|url=http://www.purewal.biz/gnsbirthdateall.pdf|title=Birth Date of Guru Nanak Sahib|first=Pal|publisher=Pal Singh Purewal|author=Singh Purewal|work=Purewal's Page|access-date=16 June 2017|archive-date=22 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222084945/http://www.purewal.biz/gnsbirthdateall.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> One of the most celebrated and important Sikh gurus and the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak is highly revered by the Sikh community.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-30|title=Happy Gurpurab 2020: Guru Nanak Jayanti Wishes Images, Status, Quotes, Wallpapers, Messages, Photos|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/happy-gurpurab-2020-guru-nanak-jayanti-wishes-images-status-quotes-wallpapers-messages-photos-7066085/|access-date=2020-11-30|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> This is one of the most sacred festivals in [[Sikhism]], or Sikhi.<ref>{{cite web|title=Guru Nanak Jayanti 2019: History, significance and traditions|date=11 November 2019 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/guru-nanak-jayanti-2019-history-significance-and-traditions/story-Opf6s8eSEPtGNZgV0SbPyL.html|publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-date=14 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214044920/https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/guru-nanak-jayanti-2019-history-significance-and-traditions/story-Opf6s8eSEPtGNZgV0SbPyL.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The festivities in the Sikh religion revolve around the anniversaries of the 10 Sikh Gurus. These Gurus were responsible for shaping the beliefs of the Sikhs. Their birthdays, known as ''[[Gurpurb|Gurpurab]],'' are occasions for celebration and prayer among the Sikhs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Guru Nanak Ji and Sikh 10 Gurus|url=https://sikhipictureframes.wordpress.com/2020/05/03/guru-nanak-dev-ji-and-sikh-10-gurus/|date=2020-05-03|website=Sikh legendaries|language=en|access-date=2020-05-05|archive-date=28 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128120807/https://sikhipictureframes.wordpress.com/2020/05/03/guru-nanak-dev-ji-and-sikh-10-gurus/|url-status=live}}</ref>

It is one of three [[List of Sikh festivals|Sikh celebrations]] still calculated using the traditional [[Vikram Samvat|Bikrami]] calendar, alongside [[Vaisakhi]] and [[Bandi Chhor Divas]], where as the rest are determined now as per the [[Nanakshahi calendar]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations |date=Sep 13, 2011 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=9781598842067 |editor-last=Melton |editor-first=J. Gordon |pages=162–163 |quote=While most Sikh holidays are now set by the Nanakshahi calendar, there are three holidays that Sikhs celebrate that remain linked to celebrations in the larger Hindu community. These three continue to be set annually according to the Hindu lunar calendar–Hola Mohalla (tied to the Hindu holiday called Holi), Bandi Chhor Divas (which coincides with the Hindu Festival called Diwali), and Guru Nanak's Birthday, a national holiday in India.}}</ref>

== Background ==
[[File:The Birth of Guru Nanak, by the artist Sardul Singh.png|thumb|The Birth of Guru Nanak, by the artist Sardul Singh in 1910.]]Guru Nanak, the founder of [[Sikhism]], was born on Puranmashi of Kattak in 1469, according to the [[Vikram Samvat]] calendar<ref>{{cite web|last1=Singh Purewal|first1=Pal|title=Vaisakhi Dates Range According To Indian Ephemeris By Swamikannu Pillai – i.e. English Date on 1 Vaisakh Bikrami|url=http://www.purewal.biz/PastVaisakhiDates.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004232123/http://www.purewal.biz/PastVaisakhiDates.pdf|archive-date=2018-10-04|url-status=live}}</ref> in Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present [[Shekhupura District]] of [[Pakistan]], now [[Nankana Sahib]].<ref name=ref2>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak1.html|title=Guru Nanak ji (1469–1539)|access-date=26 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830205721/http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak1.html|archive-date=30 August 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is a [[Public holidays in India|Gazetted holiday]] in India.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Guru Nanak Jayanti in India|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/india/guru-nanak-jayanti|access-date=2020-11-28|website=www.timeanddate.com|language=en}}</ref> The controversial [[Bhai Bala]] Janamsakhi claims Guru Nanak was born on the Full Moon ([[Purnima|Pooranmashi]]) of the Indian Lunar Month Kartik.<ref>{{cite book|last=Singh Mehboob|first=Harinder|title=As the Sun of Suns Rose: The Darkness of the Creeds Was Dispelled|url={{Google books|_yKiDQAAQBAJ|keywords=katak|plainurl=yes}}}}</ref> The Sikhs have been celebrating Guru Nanak's Gurpurab around November for this reason, and it has been ingrained in Sikh Traditions.<ref name="Purewal" /><ref name="Purewal2">{{cite web|last1=Singh Purewal|first1=Pal|title=Movable Dates of Gurpurbs|url=http://www.purewal.biz/gurpurbs_movable_dates.pdf|website=www.purewal.biz|access-date=4 November 2017}}</ref>

However, some scholars and organizations believe the Birthday should be celebrated on [[Vaisakhi]], which falls on 27 November according to the [[Mool Nanakshahi Calendar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sikhnet.com/news/mool-nanakshai-calendar-mnc-implementation-conference|title=Mool Nanakshai Calendar (MNC) Implementation Conference|website=SikhNet|date=16 November 2017 |access-date=28 November 2020}}</ref> Other people and organizations would like to keep the traditional date by celebrating on the [[Full moon day]], called Pooranmashi or [[Purnima]], of the Lunar Month Kartik. The [[Nanakshahi calendar|Nanakshahi Calendar]] follows the Gregorian calendar and celebrates it on [[Kartik Purnima]].

The different dates reflect a mismatch between different time units. The problem with designing an accurate calendar is that the three natural units of time – the day, the month and the year – are based on different movements – the Earth's rotation about its axis, the Moon's revolution around the Earth and the Earth's revolution around the Sun. Their periods are not integer multiples of each other. The challenge in aligning solar and lunar calendars arises from the discrepancy in their respective durations. A solar year spans approximately 365.25 days, while a lunar month is around 29.53 days. The sum of twelve lunar months falls short of a solar year by 11 days, 1 hour, 31 minutes, and 12 seconds. Over three years, this discrepancy nearly equals one month. The Moon's orbit takes about 27.3 days, causing it to lag behind the Earth's orbit around the sun, resulting in a 10.87-day difference between a lunar year (354.372 days) and a solar year (365.2422 days).<ref>{{cite web |title=The Indian Luni-Solar Calendar and the Concept of Adhik-Maas (Extra-Month)|url=https://www.prl.res.in/~rajiv/planexnews/oldarticles/Volume%20-3,%20Issue-3.18-23.pdf|publisher=planexnews.org |access-date=17 November 2023 }}</ref>

== Significance ==
Guru Nanak preached that any person could connect to God by worshipping with a clear conscience.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-08 |title=Guru Nanak Jyanti- Guru Parab |url=https://bollymoviereviewtech.com/web-stories/guru-nanak-jyanti-guru-parab/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=Bolly Movie Review Tech |language=en-US}}</ref> His teachings are included in Guru Granth Sahib.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-17|title=Guru Nanak Jayanti 2021: When is Gurpurab? Date, significance, history and all you need to know|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/festivals/guru-nanak-jayanti-2021-when-is-gurpurab-date-significance-history-and-all-you-need-to-know-101637147962347.html|access-date=2021-11-20|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

==The festival==
[[File:Nankana Sahib.JPG|thumb|280px|left|Gurdwara [[Nankana Sahib]], [[Pakistan]], the birthplace of Guru Nanak]]

The celebration is generally similar for all Sikhs; only the hymns are different. The celebrations usually commence with Prabhat Pheris. Prabhat Pheris are early morning processions that begin at the Gurudwaras and proceed around the localities singing hymns. Generally, two days before the birthday, ''[[Akhand Path]]'' (a forty-eight-hour non-stop reading of the ''[[Guru Granth Sahib]]'', the holy book of the Sikhs) is held in the ''[[Gurdwaras]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 24, 2020|first=Faryal|last=Rumi|title='Prabhat pheri' to set off from Patna Sahib gurdwara today |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/prabhat-pheri-to-set-off-from-patna-sahib-gurdwara-today/articleshow/79374943.cms|access-date=2020-11-24|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125090901/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/prabhat-pheri-to-set-off-from-patna-sahib-gurdwara-today/articleshow/79374943.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

The day prior to the birthday, a procession, referred to as Nagarkirtan,<ref name="ref6">{{cite web|title=GURPURBS|url=http://www.sgpc.net/festivals/index.asp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601221718/http://www.sgpc.net/festivals/index.asp|archive-date=1 June 2009}}</ref> is organised. This procession is led by the ''Panj Pyaras'' (Five Beloved Ones).<ref name="ref5">{{Cite web|url=http://sikhpoint.wpengine.com/|title=What's your point?|website=Sikhpoint.com|access-date=12 November 2019|archive-date=22 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922203139/http://sikhpoint.wpengine.com/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ref3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/sikhism/gurunanak.shtml|title=Guru Nanak|access-date=26 December 2011|archive-date=8 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108013617/http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/sikhism/gurunanak.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> They head the procession carrying the Sikh flag, known as the ''[[Nishan Sahib]]'' and the ''Palki'' (Palanquin) of Guru Granth Sahib.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 27, 2020|title=Gurpurab 2020 date: All you need to know about Guru Nanak Jayanti |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/astrology/rituals-puja/guru-nanak-jayanti-2020-all-you-need-to-know-about-gurpurab/articleshow/79367073.cms|access-date=2020-11-30|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> They are followed by teams of singers singing hymns<ref name="ref3" /> and devotees sing the chorus. There are brass bands playing different tunes and 'Gatka' teams display their swordsmanship through various martial arts and as mock battles using traditional weapons.<ref name="ref5" /><ref name="ref6" /> The procession pours into the streets of the town. The passage is covered with banners and gates are decorated flags and flowers, for this special occasion.<ref name="ref5" /><ref name="ref6" /> The leaders spreading the message of Guru Nanak.<ref name="ref5" />
[[File:Palki.jpg|thumb|upright|Guru Nanak Gurpurab 2010 at [[Pune]], Maharashtra, India]]

On the day of the Gurpurab, the celebrations commence/begin early in the morning at about 4 to 5 a.m.<ref name=ref6/><ref name=ref5/> This time of the day is referred to as ''[[Amrit Vela]]''. The day begins with the singing of ''Asaa-Ki-Vaar'' (morning hymns).<ref name=ref6/><ref name=ref5/> This is followed by any combination of ''Katha''<ref name=ref6/> (exposition of the scripture) and ''Kirtan'' (hymns from the Sikh scriptures), in the praise of the Guru.<ref name=ref5/> Following that is the ''Langar'', a special community lunch, which is arranged at the ''Gurudwaras'' by volunteers. The idea behind the free communal lunch is that everyone, irrespective of gender, caste, class or creed,<ref name=ref4>{{Cite web|url=http://www.festivalsofindia.in/gurupurab/|title=Guru Purab|access-date=26 December 2011|archive-date=24 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224161348/http://www.festivalsofindia.in/gurupurab/|url-status=live}}</ref> should be offered food in the spirit of ''seva'' (service) and ''bhakti'' (devotion).

Night prayer sessions are also held in some Gurudwaras, which begin around sunset when Rehras (evening prayer) is recited, followed by Kirtan till late at night.<ref name=ref5/> The congregation starts singing Gurbani at about 1:20 a.m., which is the actual time of birth of Guru Nanak. The celebrations culminate at around 2 a.m.<ref name=ref5/> Guru Nanak Gurpurab is celebrated by the Sikh community all over the world and is one of the most important festivals in the Sikh calendar. The celebrations are especially colorful in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], Haryana, and [[Chandigarh]] and many more locations like in parts of Pakistan and England. Even some Sindhis celebrate this festival.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Satpathy|first=Kriti Saraswat|date=2016-11-14|title=Guru Nanak Jayanti: Why and how Gurpurab is celebrated in India|url=https://www.india.com/travel/articles/guru-nanak-jayanti-why-and-how-gurpurab-is-celebrated-in-india-3231424/|access-date=2020-11-25|website=India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News {{!}} India.com|language=en|archive-date=28 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128120810/https://www.india.com/travel/articles/guru-nanak-jayanti-why-and-how-gurpurab-is-celebrated-in-india-3231424/|url-status=live}}</ref> Celebrating the auspicious day, the Punjab government has announced that it will install chairs dedicated to the great saint in 11 universities. The announcement was made on 11 November 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/punjab-government-to-install-chair-dedicated-to-guru-nanak-dev-in-11-universities/story-8uekfSMGLM65DHJy0LF1DN.html|title=Punjab government to install chair dedicated to Guru Nanak in 11 universities|date=11 November 2019|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=12 November 2019|archive-date=12 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112075938/https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/punjab-government-to-install-chair-dedicated-to-guru-nanak-dev-in-11-universities/story-8uekfSMGLM65DHJy0LF1DN.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Public Holiday ===
Guru Nanak Gurpurab is celebrated as public holiday in the following places:
{| class="wikitable"
!Country
!States/Provinces
|-
|India <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://publicholidays.in/guru-nanak-jayanti/|title=Guru Nanak Jayanti 2020, 2021 and 2022|website=PublicHolidays.in|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-28|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930202415/https://publicholidays.in/guru-nanak-jayanti/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam
|}

== See also ==

* {{anl|Gurpurb}}
* {{anl|Guru Gaddi}}
* {{anl|Joti Jot}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/holydays/gurpurbs.shtml Gurpurab] [[BBC]]

{{Sikhism}}
{{Punjabi fairs and festivals}}
{{Winter solstice}}

[[Category:Birthdays of religious leaders]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in India]]
[[Category:Memorials to Guru Nanak]]
[[Category:November observances]]
[[Category:Religious festivals in India]]
[[Category:Sikh festivals]]

Guru Nanak Gurpurab - Revision history

KateCurmi92 at 23:22, 14 February 2026