✍️ By Rahul Goyal · Chandigarh Life
Quick answer: Guru Nanak Gurpurab 2026 falls on Tuesday, 24 November — Kartik Purnima, marking Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 557th birth anniversary. It’s observed with Nagar Kirtan processions, Akhand Path (a continuous 48-hour reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), and community langar. Gurpurab is observed with Nagar Kirtan processions, Akhand Path and langar. Nada Sahib in Panchkula already holds a full-moon gathering every month, and Guru Nanak’s birthday falls on Kartik Purnima, so on 24 November 2026 the two coincide.
Every 2026 festival date, with its weekday and whether it is a holiday in Chandigarh, is in our Chandigarh festival calendar.
Gurpurab 2026 Date
Guru Nanak Jayanti falls on Kartik Purnima, the full-moon day of the Kartik month. In 2026, the Purnima tithi begins at 11:42 PM on 23 November and ends at 8:23 PM on 24 November — placing the main observance on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. It is a public holiday in the Chandigarh Administration’s 2026 list and on the Punjab Government’s gazetted list. Source: Drik Panchang.
Gurpurab Celebrations in Chandigarh & the Tricity
Chandigarh’s major gurudwaras — Nada Sahib, Sector 34, and Sector 46 — are decorated with lights and flowers for the occasion, with the heaviest footfall of devotees on the day itself. A Nagar Kirtan procession is typically held the day before Gurpurab, moving through major sectors with the Panj Pyaras leading the way, the Guru Granth Sahib carried in a decorated palki, and shabad-singing and Gatka martial displays along the route. Community langar runs through the day at every gurudwara, open to all regardless of faith.
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What the day looks like, by the SGPC’s account
The SGPC says birthday celebrations of the Gurus usually last three days. Prabhat Pheris, the early-morning processions, come first. An Akhand Path takes about forty-eight hours of continuous reading, and the Nagar Kirtan is organised one day before the birthday date. It is led by the Panj Piyaras and the palki of Guru Granth Sahib.
On the day itself the divan begins at about 4 or 5 in the morning with Asa-di-var. Some gurdwaras also hold an overnight programme; Wikipedia notes that the congregation starts singing Gurbani at about 1:20 am, described as the time of Guru Nanak’s birth.
Nada Sahib on the full-moon day
Gurdwara Nada Sahib sits in Panchkula, on the bank of the Ghaggar in the Sivalik foothills. Guru Gobind Singh halted here while travelling from Paonta Sahib to Anandpur Sahib after the Battle of Bhangani in 1688.
The Panchkula district website says the full-moon day every month is a festive occasion here, with a large gathering from the northern region. Guru Nanak’s birthday is the Kartik full moon, so 24 November and the monthly gathering fall on the same day. Chandigarh Railway Station is 8 km away and Panchkula Bus Stand 6 km, according to the same page.
Gurpurab in 2027
Guru Nanak Jayanti falls on Sunday, 14 November 2027, and the central government’s 2027 list agrees. The Chandigarh Administration issues its own notification separately, so check it once it is out before planning leave.
Visiting a gurdwara on Gurpurab
Langar is open to all and the meals are always lacto-vegetarian. The Sikh Rehat Maryada says shoes must be removed, the head covered and respectful clothing worn. For where to go in the tricity, see best gurdwaras in Chandigarh and more gurdwaras in the tricity.
More festival guides
- Best gurudwaras in Chandigarh: a visit guide.
- More gurudwaras in the tricity: Sohana, Koohni Sahib and others.
- Chhath Puja in Chandigarh: 13 to 16 November, and the ghats.
- Chandigarh festival calendar 2026: every date, verified.
How Gurpurab Is Observed
- Prabhat Pheris — early-morning processions in the days before Gurpurab, where devotees walk through neighbourhoods singing hymns.
- Nagar Kirtan — a street procession, usually the day before the main observance, carrying the Guru Granth Sahib and led by the Panj Pyaras.
- Akhand Path — a continuous, unbroken reading of the entire Guru Granth Sahib, taking roughly 48 hours and timed to conclude on or just before Gurpurab.
- Kirtan & Katha — devotional singing and discourse on Guru Nanak’s life and teachings, held throughout the day.
- Langar — a free community meal served to all visitors, prepared and served by volunteer sevadars.
Many gurudwaras extend celebrations into the night, with special hymns recited around the traditionally observed time of Guru Nanak’s birth, continuing into the early hours of the following morning.
When is Gurpurab in 2026?
Guru Nanak Gurpurab falls on Tuesday, 24 November 2026, marking Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 557th birth anniversary.
Why does the Gurpurab date change every year?
It’s based on the lunar Hindu calendar (Kartik Purnima), not a fixed Gregorian date, so it shifts from year to year.
Which gurudwaras in Chandigarh see the biggest Gurpurab crowds?
Nada Sahib, Sector 34, and Sector 46 are among the busiest, with decorated premises and heavy footfall on the day.
Is Gurpurab a public holiday in Chandigarh?
Yes. Guru Nanak’s Birthday, Tuesday, 24 November 2026, is a public holiday under the Chandigarh Administration’s list and on Punjab’s gazetted list.
More guides from Chandigarh Life
- Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib
- Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, Sirhind
- Chamkaur Sahib and Gurdwara Katalgarh Sahib
- Kiratpur Sahib and Gurdwara Patalpuri Sahib
Explore More in Events
Sources
- Drik Panchang, Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026 for Chandigarh
- Punjab Government gazetted holidays 2026
- SGPC, Gurpurbs
- Drik Panchang, Guru Nanak Jayanti 2027 for Chandigarh
- Sikh Rehat Maryada (Wikipedia)
- en.wikipedia.org
- Panchkula district website, Nada Sahib
- dopt.gov.in
- Chandigarh Administration holiday notification 2026
The facts added to this page on 20 September 2026 were checked against the sources above.
