Guru Nanak Jayanti 2025: Celebrating the Founder of Sikhism

Guru Nanak Jayanti 2025, also known as Gurpurab or Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav, marks the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the visionary founder of Sikhism. Celebrated on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, this sacred festival holds profound spiritual significance for Sikhs worldwide.​

Date and Significance

Guru Nanak Jayanti is observed on Kartik Purnima (the full moon day of the Kartik month in the Hindu lunar calendar), which in 2025 falls on November 5. The festival marks not just a birthday but the inception of Sikh philosophy—a revolutionary spiritual movement centered on equality, compassion, and universal brotherhood.​

Born on April 15, 1469, in Rai Bhoi Ki Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan), Guru Nanak transformed the spiritual landscape by challenging rigid rituals, caste hierarchies, and religious divisions with a simple yet profound message: "Ik Onkar" (There is One God).​

Life and Teachings: A Revolutionary Spirit

From Childhood to Spiritual Awakening

From youth, Guru Nanak questioned societal conventions and blind ritualism. While his father Mehta Kalu Chand wished him to pursue business, young Nanak spent his time in meditation and spiritual contemplation. An iconic childhood incident demonstrates his revolutionary spirit—when given money by his father for a "Saccha Sauda" (meaningful business deal), the 12-year-old instead fed a group of hungry saints, calling it the "true business." This act encapsulated his core belief: selfless service surpasses material gain.​

The Four Divine Journeys (Udasis)

In 1499, at age 30, Guru Nanak embarked on four transformative spiritual journeys across Asia, covering approximately 28,000 kilometers on foot over two decades:​

• First Journey (1499-1509): Traveled across India—to the east reaching Assam and Burma, south to Sri Lanka, north to Tibet and China, meeting Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain pilgrims​
• Second and Third Journeys: Continued spiritual missions across diverse regions​
• Fourth Journey (1517-1518): His most famous odyssey to Mecca and Medina, challenging Islamic orthodoxy while displaying utmost respect for Muslim faith. Accompanied by Bhai Mardana (a Muslim musician) and meeting renowned scholars, Guru Nanak demonstrated interfaith harmony​

The legendary account of Guru Nanak in Mecca portrays a profound spiritual message. When he rested his feet toward the Kaaba, a priest angrily objected. Guru Nanak's response reflected his universal theology: "Show me a direction where God's House is not, and I will turn my feet away." Wherever his feet were turned, the Kaaba appeared to rotate. The Qazi (Islamic judge) was spiritually awakened, recognizing the divine within the Guru.​

The Three Core Principles

Guru Nanak's teachings, preserved in 974 hymns now enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh scripture), center on three transformative principles:

• Naam Japo (Meditate on God's Name): Connect with the divine through constant remembrance and meditation
• Kirat Karo (Earn Honestly): Work diligently and truthfully, rejecting deception and exploitation
• Vand Chakko (Share with All): Distribute earnings with the needy, practicing generosity and equality​

The Langar Institution: Revolutionary Social Service

Guru Nanak established Langar (community kitchen)—a groundbreaking social institution offering free, dignified meals to all regardless of caste, creed, gender, or economic status. This practice revolutionized social consciousness in medieval Punjab, transcending hierarchies and fostering Sarbat da Bhala (welfare for all).​

Kartarpur Sahib: Legacy of Peace and Community

In 1504, after his extensive travels, Guru Nanak founded Kartarpur on the banks of the Ravi River in present-day Pakistan's Narowal district. Here, he spent the last 18 years of his life (1521-1539) establishing the first Sikh commune, settling with his family, plowing fields, and strengthening the Langar institution.​

Kartarpur symbolizes Sikh ideals: spirituality, honest living, and inclusive community. The Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, now recognized as the second holiest Sikh site after the Golden Temple, stands as a testament to Guru Nanak's legacy. The Kartarpur Corridor, opened in November 2019, now allows Indian Sikhs visa-free access to this sacred site on the India-Pakistan border.​

Guru Nanak Jayanti 2025 Celebrations

Across the globe, Sikhs are preparing grand commemorations for November 5, 2025:

Pre-Celebration Events (November 3-4, 2025)

Akhand Path: A continuous, non-stop 48-hour recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib begins, with devotees taking turns reading the entire scripture uninterrupted. This meditative ritual fills gurdwaras with spiritual energy.​

Nagar Kirtan: On November 4, the spectacular Nagar Kirtan procession takes to the streets at dawn, featuring:

• The ornately decorated palki (palanquin) carrying the Guru Granth Sahib
• The Panj Pyare (Five Beloved Ones) leading the procession
• Gatka performers (Sikh martial artists) displaying traditional weaponry and techniques
• Musicians and singers performing devotional kirtan, with thousands of devotees chanting in unison​

The energy is electrifying—entire neighborhoods transform into expressions of collective devotion and pride.​

Main Day Celebrations (November 5, 2025)

Prabhat Pheri: Early morning processions beginning before dawn, with devotees singing hymns and reciting prayers​

Gurmat Samagams: Special spiritual gatherings featuring:

• Kirtan performances by renowned Ragi Jathas (devotional singers)
• Katha (spiritual discourse) by learned scholars explaining Guru Nanak's teachings
• Nitnem (daily prayers) in congregational settings​

Community Langar: Free meals served to thousands, embodying Guru Nanak's principle of equality and shared abundance​

Evening Devotions: Candlelit meditations, collective prayers, and celebration of the Guru's divine message​

Universal Message: Beyond Religious Boundaries

Guru Nanak's revolutionary vision transcends Sikhism. He famously declared:

ਨਾ ਕੋ ਹਿੰਦੂ, ਨਾ ਕੋ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ।

Translation: "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim; all are children of one God and should be treated with equal respect".​

This message—now over 550 years old—remains strikingly relevant. In an age of polarization, Guru Nanak's call for unity, compassion, and interfaith harmony offers a beacon of hope.​

Timeless Legacy

Guru Nanak Dev Ji's contributions extend beyond spirituality:

• Social Reformation: He elevated women's status in society at a time of widespread patriarchy​
• Educational Pioneer: He rejected blind ritualism and promoted rational thinking​
• Environmental Steward: His teachings encouraged harmony with nature and sustainable living​
• Architect of Community: The Langar institution became the blueprint for communal living and welfare systems​

Conclusion

As November 5, 2025 approaches, millions of Sikhs globally will gather to honor Guru Nanak Dev Ji—not merely as a religious founder but as a humanitarian visionary whose principles remain eternally relevant. From the golden shores of Kartarpur to gurdwaras across six continents, Guru Nanak Jayanti 2025 will resonate with devotion, unity, and the timeless call for peace, equality, and service to humanity.