Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Guru Nanak Gurpurab or Prakash Utsav, is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism. In 2025, the 556th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji – the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus – falls on Wednesday, 5 November 2025.
This day is celebrated with immense devotion across India and the world, especially in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and wherever the Sikh community resides. For millions of Indians of all faiths, Guru Nanak’s message of “Ik Onkar” (One Supreme Reality), equality, selfless service, and love for humanity continues to inspire daily life.
Confirmed Date for Guru Nanak Jayanti 2025
According to the Nanakshahi Calendar (the official Sikh calendar approved by Sri Akal Takht Sahib in 2003), the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is fixed on the full-moon date (Purnima) of the month of Katak.
In 2025, Katak Purnima falls on 5 November.
This date is uniformly followed by all major gurdwaras in India, including Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar.
Historical Background: Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born on 15 April 1469 (according to the original Bikrami calendar) at Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib, in present-day Punjab, Pakistan. His parents were Mehta Kalyan Chand Das Bedi (also called Mehta Kalu) and Mata Tripta. He belonged to the Bedi clan and had an elder sister, Bebe Nanaki, who was among the first to recognise his divine light.
At the age of 30, after a profound spiritual experience at Sultanpur Lodhi (where he disappeared in the Bein River for three days and re-emerged with the divine message “Na koi Hindu, na koi Musalman” – There is no Hindu, no Muslim), Guru Nanak began his famous Udasis (spiritual journeys) that lasted over two decades and covered present-day India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
Three Golden Principles Given by Guru Nanak
The core of Guru Nanak’s teachings can be summarised in three fundamental pillars that every Sikh is expected to follow:
- Naam Japo – Meditate on the name of the One Creator (Waheguru)
- Kirat Karo – Earn an honest living through hard work and integrity
- Vand Chakko – Share your earnings with the needy and practise selfless service
In addition, he strongly advocated:
- Equality of all human beings irrespective of caste, creed, gender, or religion
- Rejection of superstition, ritualism, and idol worship
- One God who is formless, eternal, and present in all creation (Ik Onkar)
- Respect for women and condemnation of practices such as sati and purdah
How Guru Nanak Jayanti is Celebrated in India
Forty-eight hours before the main day, the Akhand Path (continuous, non-stop reading of the entire Guru Granth Sahib) begins in gurdwaras across the country.
Key celebrations include:
- Prabhat Pheris – Early-morning processions with devotional singing of shabads that start from gurdwaras and pass through streets and localities.
- Nagar Kirtans – Grand processions led by Panj Pyare (five beloved ones) carrying the Sri Guru Granth Sahib on a flower-decorated palanquin. School bands, gatka (Sikh martial art) teams, and devotees singing hymns accompany the procession.
- Special Diwans – Kirtan and katha (religious discourses) at gurdwaras throughout the day.
- Langar – Free community kitchen where millions are served without any discrimination – a living example of Guru Nanak’s message of equality and seva.
Major centres of celebration in India:
- Golden Temple, Amritsar – illuminated with thousands of lights; lakhs visit for darshan.
- Gurdwara Sri Ber Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi (Punjab) – where Guru Nanak attained enlightenment.
- Gurdwara Jyoti Svarup Sahib, Nankana Sahib (Pakistan) – birthplace (Indian pilgrims visit under bilateral protocols).
- Sis Ganj Sahib and Bangla Sahib in Delhi
- Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded (Maharashtra)
- Patna Sahib (Bihar) – where Guru Nanak visited during his eastern Udasis
Public Holiday and Bank Closure
Guru Nanak Jayanti is a gazetted holiday across India. Government offices, schools, and most private institutions remain closed in states with significant Sikh populations. Banks and post offices also observe a holiday on 5 November 2025.
Evergreen Message for Every Indian
Even 556 years after his birth, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings remain strikingly relevant:
- In a diverse country like India, his emphasis on equality and brotherhood offers a powerful antidote to caste and religious divisions.
- His concept of honest earning and sharing resonates with modern ideas of ethical business and social responsibility.
- The institution of langar continues to feed millions daily and stands as a global model of community service.
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Last Updated on: Thursday, November 20, 2025 2:21 pm by Sakethyadav | Published by: Sakethyadav on Thursday, November 20, 2025 2:21 pm | News Categories: India
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