Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of Sikhism; Gurpurab celebrations

Guru Nanak Jayanti, or Gurpurab (Prakash Purab), celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus, on Kartika Purnima. He was born in 1469 at Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan; 2026 marks his 557th Prakash Purab. At about thirty, after a spiritual experience at the Kali Bein river in Sultanpur Lodhi, he declared 'there is no Hindu, there is no Muslim' — all are one before God. He travelled for over two decades on four great journeys (udasis) across India, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Arabia with his companions Bhai Mardana and Bhai Bala, spreading his message in poetry and music. He taught the oneness of God (Ik Onkar), the equality of all people regardless of caste, creed or gender, and three pillars of life: Naam Japna (remembering God), Kirat Karni (honest work), and Vand Chhakna (sharing with others). He founded the town of Kartarpur and the tradition of langar, the community kitchen open to all. His 974 hymns, including the Japji Sahib, are in the Guru Granth Sahib. Celebrations include Akhand Path, Prabhat Pheris, Nagar Kirtan, kirtan through the night, and langar.

Sikhism does not prescribe ritual fasting; the day is marked by prayer, seva and langar.