Sikhism is a religion that has been thriving on the teachings of the Sikh Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his followers. Considered to be the most important among the religious pioneers in Sikhism, Sikhs from all over the world celebrate his birth anniversary – Guru Nanak Jayanti – with great enthusiasm and spiritual zest. In 2025, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Gurpurab, or Prakash Utsav will be celebrated on November 5.
If you’re keen on celebrating this festival, here’s all you need to know about Guru Nanak Jayanti 2025.
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2025: Overview, History, Purnima Tithi, And More
Date And Tithi Of Guru Nanak Jayanti
In 2025, Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurpurab 2025 will be celebrated on November 5 and it will coincide with the full moon day or Purnima of the Hindu month of Kartik. This year will mark the 556th birth anniversary of the revered Sikh guru.
Born in 1469 CE in Nankana Sahib (present-day Pakistan), Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the first of the ten Sikh gurus who founded the religion of Sikhism. Throughout his life, Guru Nanak advocated the celebration of humanity, compassion, peace, and selfless service. His philosophies relied on three pillars:
- Naam Japo: Always remember the name of God
- Kirat Karo: Earn an honest living through hard work
- Vand Chakko: Share what you have with others, especially those in need
After his passing, his spiritual successors continued his legacy, sharing his philosophies to others. Today, the spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak and his successors remain enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib – the holiest text of Sikhism.
Is Guru Nanak Jayanti A National Holiday?
No, Guru Nanak Jayanti is NOT a National Holiday.
However, it is a gazetted holiday.
Gazetted holidays are essentially public holidays, those that can be declared by the central government or by state governments. This means that they might not be observed everywhere across the entire country, and can depend on the individual state governments and government bodies and institutions.
Guru Nanak Jayanti remains a gazetted holiday, meaning it is a public holiday across all Indian states. In Maharashtra, it will be observed as a public holiday – meaning government offices, schools, and universities will be closed. Check your state holiday list to confirm whether your state has declared a public holiday for Guru Nanak Jayanti.
How Is Guru Nanak Jayanti Celebrated?
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2025, just like each year, will last for three days and is a festival filled with devotion, joy, and community spirit.
Akhand Path
Many Gurudwaras hold a 48-hour continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib. Called the ‘Akhand Paath’, it is a spiritual reading of the divine book, and is considered to be especially crucial for Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations.
Nagar Kirtan
Sikhs take part in the Nagar Kirtan, a grand procession taking place just a day before the main celebration. The holy Guru Granth Sahib is respectfully placed in a grand palanquin, decorated with tassels, decorations, and flowers, and taken out for a procession throughout the town, village, or city. Devotees follow the procession by singing devotional songs whereas traditional Sikh martial artists perform jaw-dropping martial arts with swords and shields.
Prabhat Pheri
Prabhat Pheri is also an essential part of Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations. Devotees walk through their neighborhoods early in the morning, singing hymns and devotional songs. This practice is believed to spread positivity and a divine spiritual energy as devotees welcome the new day with reverence.
Langar Or Community Meals
A key philosophy of Sikhism lies in community service, and the Langar is a spiritual practice embedded in this philosophy. Devotees themselves make and serve free community meals in Gurudwaras and open kitchens. Each attendee is served free food, regardless of caste, community, or religion, and this practice is a reminder of the spirit of oneness.
Kirtans And Sermons
Sikhs give immense importance to the act of singing devotional songs called ‘kirtans’ that praise the Almighty and underline Sikh philosophies. Many gurudwaras across the country have kirtan programs, sermons and discourses to remind Sikh followers of these philosophies.
Guru Nanak Jayanti Wishes
- “Happy Gurpurab! Wishing you and your family peace, joy, and endless blessings on this auspicious occasion.”
- “May we all embrace the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and inspire those around us to do the same. Happy Gurpurab!”
- “May Guru Nanak Dev Ji encourage you to fulfill your dreams, bless you with enlightenment and bring peace and joy to your life.”
- “This Guru Nanak Jayanti, let us embrace Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings and live a life of dignity, empathy, and selfless service. Gurpurab Di Lakh Lakh Vadhaiyan!”
- Happy Gurpurab to those celebrating! Let us all remember and honor the eternal light of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.”
You May Like Also: Rann Utsav 2025 Full Moon Dates
Summing Up
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2025 is about to be a grand spiritual celebration honoring the timeless legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. His teachings and philosophies have shaped up a religion that stands as one of the largest of its kind in the world.
If you’re celebrating this festival, visit your nearest gurudwara, pay your respects, engage in community service, and remember his teachings.
