Guru Nanak's birthday, the Gurpurab or Prakash Purab, is celebrated every November at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, the place where he was born. It follows the full moon of the month of Kartik: 5 November in 2025, and 24 November in 2026, according to published calendars. It is the largest Sikh gathering in Pakistan, and the celebrations run over several days rather than one.
This guide covers the dates, the programme, who attends and how visitors fit in. For the gurdwara itself and everyday visiting, see our Nankana Sahib guide, which we don't repeat here.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Occasion | Guru Nanak's birth anniversary (Gurpurab) |
| Date | Full moon of Kartik: 5 November 2025; 24 November 2026 |
| Place | Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib |
| From Lahore | About 65 to 90 km, sources differ |
| Main pilgrims | Sikhs from India, Pakistan and overseas |
| Length | Roughly ten days of events, with the main day at the centre |
When is Guru Nanak's birthday in 2026?
The date is set by the lunar calendar, so it moves each year in the Gregorian calendar. Calendars list the Gurpurab as Tuesday, 24 November 2026. In 2025 it fell on 5 November, marking the 556th anniversary.
Pilgrim visits usually cover about ten days around the main date, and the concluding ceremony is often held on the day itself or shortly after. Confirm the programme with the local administration in the weeks before, because timings can shift.
What happens during the celebrations
The Gurpurab is observed over roughly three days at the gurdwara, following the general pattern of Sikh birthday celebrations.
- Two days before: the Akhand Path begins, a non-stop 48-hour reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, which ends with the Bhog ceremony. In 2025 the Bhog was attended by government officials, including the Minister for Religious Affairs.
- The day before: a nagar kirtan procession, led by the Panj Pyaras, carries the Guru Granth Sahib through the streets with hymns and bands.
- The day itself: morning hymns begin in the early hours, followed by scripture exposition and kirtan, with langar (the free communal meal) served through the day. Evening prayers and kirtan are traditionally sung late into the night.
Langar is open to everyone.
Pilgrims also visit other gurdwaras in the town and nearby. In 2025 the itinerary took the Indian pilgrims on to Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur. Our guides to Panja Sahib and Kartarpur cover them.
The place and its history
Gurdwara Janam Asthan marks where Guru Nanak was born. The earliest shrine here is traditionally credited to Baba Dharam Chand, Guru Nanak's grandson, in the 16th century, and the present building dates from the early 19th century, when Maharaja Ranjit Singh had it built, around 1819 to 1820. It is a protected heritage monument. In 1921, 86 Sikhs were killed here in a confrontation during the Akali reform movement, which is why the site holds a strong place in modern Sikh memory.
Who attends
Sikhs from India cross at Wagah on visas issued for the occasion under the 1974 protocol on visits to religious shrines, which limits the numbers each year. Over 2,100 visas were issued for the 2025 festival, and more than 2,000 pilgrims crossed, in the first major pilgrim crossing since the border clashes of May 2025. There are also Sikhs from Pakistan and from overseas communities.
Pakistani visitors of other faiths also come to watch, but this is a religious occasion first, so behave as a guest.
How to get there
Nankana Sahib is in Punjab, west of Lahore, and can be reached by road as a day trip from the city. Expect slower traffic and possible diversions near the gurdwara on the main days, since large crowds gather. Leave early, and expect to walk the last stretch. Our Lahore itinerary shows how to fit a day trip around a stay in the city.
What to wear and how to behave
- Cover your head inside the gurdwara complex, and carry a scarf or cap.
- Remove shoes and dress modestly.
- Accept langar respectfully, sit where others sit, and do not waste food.
- Ask before photographing worshippers, and follow the staff's instructions on cameras inside the main hall.
- Keep bags small, since large crowds mean security checks.
Is it worth going during the festival?
Go if you want to see Sikh devotion at its most vivid, and can cope with crowds. The atmosphere is warm and the langar is generous, but the town is crowded, movement is controlled and it is hard to see the gurdwara quietly.
If you would prefer a calm visit, go on another weekday and see the site as an ordinary visitor. Sikh pilgrims travelling from abroad should arrange visas well ahead through the proper channels, and confirm with the relevant embassy or high commission, as the rules and numbers vary by year. Our experiences page lists other festivals if you are planning around dates.
Frequently asked questions
When is Guru Nanak's birthday at Nankana Sahib in 2026?
Published calendars give 24 November 2026, with celebrations over several days around it. Confirm the programme locally as the date follows the lunar calendar.
Can non-Sikhs attend the celebrations?
Yes, as respectful visitors. Cover your head, remove your shoes and follow the rules of the gurdwara.
How far is Nankana Sahib from Lahore?
Sources give anywhere from about 65 to 90 km. Allow a couple of hours and more during the festival, when roads are slow.
Do Indian Sikhs travel for the festival?
Yes, on visas issued under the 1974 protocol. Over 2,100 visas were granted for the 2025 festival.
Is langar free at Nankana Sahib?
Yes, langar is offered free to all visitors during the festival.
