Guru Nanak Gurpurab ਗੁਰਪੁਰਬ
The Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhi, is the most widely celebrated Gurpurab of the year. It is kept on the full moon of Katak.
| Year | Occasion | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Katak Puranmashi) | |
| 2027 | Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Katak Puranmashi) |
Calculated for Amritsar. SGPC and government announcements take precedence.
How the date is fixed
The SGPC keeps Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Prakash Purab on Katak Puranmashi (the full moon of Kartik), so the English date moves between late October and late November. Some scholars, including the Nanakshahi calendar's author Pal Singh Purewal, argue that the Guru was born in Vaisakh (April). The traditional Katak Puranmashi date is the one kept by the SGPC and by most gurdwaras worldwide.
How it is celebrated
- Prabhat pheris: early-morning processions singing shabads, held for weeks before the Gurpurab.
- Akhand Path: a continuous 48-hour reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, ending on the morning of the Gurpurab.
- Nagar Kirtan: a procession led by the Panj Piare, with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji carried in a decorated palki, one or two days before.
- Diwan and langar: kirtan, katha and langar through the day. Gurdwaras are lit at night.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469 at Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. He travelled widely on four journeys (udasis), taught the oneness of God, and emphasised honest work (kirat karni), sharing (vand chhakna) and remembrance of the Name (naam japna). He founded Kartarpur, where he spent his final years.
Questions
Why does Guru Nanak Gurpurab change date every year?
It follows the lunar calendar and is kept on the full moon of Katak.