Guru Nanak Jayanti is one of the most prominent Sikh festivals which is observed as the birthday of the first of their gurus, Guru Nanak. The founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak played an important role in shaping and strengthening the Sikh community. Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024 will be celebrated on 15th November (Friday).
According to Sikh literature, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak is celebrated on the Full Moon day of the Indian lunar month, Kartik. Synonymous with Gurpurab 2024 or Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav 2024, this day is celebrated with utmost enthusiasm among the Sikhs throughout the nation.
Check about Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024 date, significance, history, celebrations, popular places, and wishes.
Why Guru Nanak Jayanti is Celebrated?
Guru Nanak Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru – Guru Nanak Dev. This festival is the celebration of the teachings given by Guru Nanak. One of the main verses in his teachings in Guru Granth Sahib was the message of ‘Ik Onkar’ which means one God that resides in every creation in the world and comprises the eternal truth. Gurpurab meaning is to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Sikh Guru.
Guru Nanak Jayanti History and Significance
Although there are no official reports about the origin of this festival, it is believed that the custom of celebrating Guru Nanak Jayanti is as old as Sikhism. Said to be one of the youngest religions of the world, Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak, who is believed to have been born on 15th April 1469 which is Vaisakhi as per the Nanakshahi calendar at Rāi Bhoi Kī Talvaṇḍī village (present-day Nankana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan) in the Lahore.
However, there are a few Sikh communities who believe that Guru Nanak was born on the full moon day of the lunar month of Kartik, which coincides with the month of October-November of the Gregorian calendar.
Therefore, different communities of Sikhs observe Guru Nanak Jayanti on either Vaisakhi or the full moon day of the lunar month of Kartik. Some states like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and West Bengal observe Guru Nanak Jayanti as a public holiday.
How to Celebrate in Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024 in India?
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024 | Celebrations across India
Mainly associated with the Sikh community, Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated with utmost joy all over the nation. Not just Sikhs but even Hindus celebrate this day to commemorate the birthday of Guru Nanak. Some of the rituals that are observed during Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations are:
- People visit Gurudwaras and recite verses from Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhism, on this day.
- A grand feast called ‘Langar’ is served where people from all religions are welcomed. The purpose of Langar is to provide food to anyone who is in need irrespective of class, caste or gender.
- Prabhat Pheris are organised early morning in the neighbourhood on the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti. The word Prabhat means dawn and Pheri means taking rounds. People sing devotional songs and the teachings of the Guru.
- There is a tradition of helping poor people or the ones who are in need on the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti.
- People from the Sikh community decorate their homes and organize a grand get-together.
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Best Places to observe Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024 in India
Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated with zeal across the country. People visit Gurdwaras and are involved in community services. Some of the famous places to observe Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024 are:
1. Punjab: The Golden Temple, also known as Harmandir Sahib is considered the holiest place of worship by Sikh followers. Multiple celebrations and feasts take place at the Golden Temple, and thousands of Sikh and Hindu families visit Amritsar every year on this day to offer prayers at the holy shrine.
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Amritsar, Hotels near Golden Temple
2. Delhi: Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi commemorates the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur. Situated in Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi, this Gurudwara attracts devotees from all over the world. People also visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to pray and to take a dip in the holy water.
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Delhi
3. Haryana: Neem Sahib Gurudwara in Palwal, Haryana is an important place of worship for the Sikh community. The Gurudwara is associated with the life and teachings of Baba Nidhan Singh, a revered Sikh saint.
4. Himachal Pradesh: Gurudwara Manikaran Sahib in Kullu is believed to be a site which was once visited by Guru Nanak. People take a holy dip in the natural hot spring located in the Gurudwara.
- Places to Stay: Hotels in Manali
Guru Nanak Jayanti is also celebrated in great reverence in Gurdwara Khandh Sahib in Batala, Gurdwara Pathar Sahib in Leh Ladakh, Gurdwara Sri Reetha Sahib in Champawat district of Uttarakhand, Gurdwara Shri Pehli Patshahi near Lakhpat in Gujarat. These Gurudwaras hold immense significance as they are associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
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Facts about Guru Nanak and Inspirational Sayings
Some of the interesting facts about Guru Nanak are:
- Guru Nanak founded the youngest religion in the world – Sikhism.
- Guru Nanak was born in Talwandi, Punjab (modern day Pakistan).
- Nanak was named after his elder sister, Nanaki.
- After the enlightenment, ‘There is one God’ were the first words that Guru Nanak uttered.
- Guru Nanak’s first disciple was a man named Bhagirath.
Some of the inspirational sayings are:
- Owing to ignorance of the rope, the rope appears to be a snake; owing to ignorance of the Self, the transient state arises of the individualized, limited, phenomenal aspect of the Self.
- There is but one God. True is His Name, creative His personality and immortal His form. He is without fear sans enmity, unborn and self-illumined. By the Guru’s grace, He is obtained.
- In this world, when you ask for happiness, Pain steps forward.
- Burn worldly love, rub the ashes and make ink of it, make the heart the pen, the intellect the writer, write that which has no end or limit.
Best 20 Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024 Wishes List
Here is the list of Guru Nanak Jayanti wishes:
- May this Gurpurab 2024 bring happiness and joy to you and your family! Happy Gurpurab!
- May Guru Nanak Dev Ji encourage you to achieve all your dreams, bless you with peace and shower you with eternal happiness and joy. Happy Gurpurab!
- May Guru Nanak Ji be your support and guidance throughout your life. Happy Gurpurab!
- May Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s spiritual teachings enlighten you, and may you obtain whatever you wish for. Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti!
- May the holy teachings of Guru Nanak Ji guide you through the correct path in life. Heartiest Gurpurab wishes!
- May Nanak Ji be your guide! May he always bestow his blessings on you. I wish you a Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti!
- May Lord Guru Nanak encourage you to achieve your hopes and aspirations in life and help you always maintain peace and tranquillity. I wish you and your family a very Happy Gurpurab 2024!
- May Guru Nanak Ji enlighten your heart and mind with sanctity and knowledge. Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti!
- I pray that happiness and blessings always surround you as we all get together to remember our beloved Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the commemoration of Sikhism. Happy Gurpurab.
- Oh my mind, always keep the true Lord’s thoughts inside you and experience the bliss of peace. Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti!
- May your life be full of golden days with Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s blessings. Sending you warm wishes on this auspicious day!
- Always remember that Guru Nanak Dev Ji lives in our hearts. Do live in the bliss of Guruji’s care. Happy Gurpurab!
- Happy Kartik Purnima and Guru Nanak Jayanti.
- May Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings illuminate your life with positivity and courage. Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti to you and your family!
- I pray that you remember the true teachings of Almighty Guru Nanak Dev Ji and implement them in your life. Happy Gurpurab!
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings are a blessing and healing aid to everybody’s life. May you use those teachings in every step of your life. Happy Gurpurab!
- May you find the strength to tide over all obstacles with his grace. Happy Gurpurab to you and your family.
- May you be blessed with peace and love. Happy Gurpurab!
- May Guru Nanak Devji help you achieve all your goals in life.
- May this Gurpurab bring happiness and prosperity into your life!
Year-Wise Guru Nanak Jayanti Observances
| YEAR | DAY | DATE | Event/Festival |
| 2015 | Wed | 25-Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| 2016 | Mon | 14-Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| 2017 | Sat | 4-Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| 2018 | Fri | 23-Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| 2019 | Tue | 12-Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| 2020 | Mon | 30-Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| 2021 | Fri | 19-Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| 2022 | Tue | 8-Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| 2023 | Mon | 27-Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| 2024 | Fri | 15-Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| 2025 | Wed | 5-Nov | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
Other Festivals in India with Holiday Type
| Festivals in India | Day | Date | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Mon | 01-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Lohri | Sat | 13-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Makar Sankranti | Sun | 14-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Pongal | Mon | 15-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti | Wed | 17-Jan | Restricted Holiday |
| Republic Day | Fri | 26-Jan | Gazetted Holiday |
| Losar | Sat | 10-Feb | Restricted Holiday |
| Basant Panchmi | Wed | 14-Feb | Restricted Holiday |
| Guru Ravidas Jayanti | Sat | 24-Feb | Gazetted Holiday |
| Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti | Wed | 6-Mar | Restricted Holiday |
| Mahashivratri | Fri | 8-Mar | Gazetted Holiday |
| Holi | Mon | 25-March | Gazetted Holiday |
| Good Friday | Fri | 29-Mar | Gazetted Holiday |
| Easter Day | Sun | 31-Mar | Restricted Holiday |
| Gudi Padwa | Tue | 9-Apr | Restricted Holiday |
| Eid-ul-Fitr | Wed | 10-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Vaisakhi (Vishu) | Sat | 13-Apr | Restricted Holiday |
| Rama Navami | Wed | 17-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Mahavir Jayanti | Sun | 21-Apr | Gazetted Holiday |
| Rabindra Jayanti | Wed | 8-May | Restricted Holiday |
| Buddha Purnima (Vesak) | Thu | 23-May | Gazetted Holiday |
| Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) | Mon | 17-Jun | Restricted Holiday |
| Rath Yatra | Sun | 7-Jul | Gazetted Holiday |
| Muharram (Ashura) | Wed | 17-Jul | Gazetted Holiday |
| Independence Day | Thu | 15-Aug | Gazetted Holiday |
| Parsi New Year’s Day (Nauraz) | Thu | 15-Aug | Public Holiday |
| Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) | Mon | 19-Aug | Restricted Holiday |
| Janmashtami | Mon | 26-Aug | Restricted Holiday |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | Sat | 7-Sep | Restricted Holiday |
| Onam | Sun | 15-Sep | Restricted Holiday |
| Milad-un-Nabi or Id-e- Milad | Mon | 16-Sep | Gazetted Holiday |
| Gandhi Jayanti | Wed | 02-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Dussehra | Sat | 12-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Valmiki Jayanti | Thu | 17-Oct | Restricted Holiday |
| Karva Chauth | Sun | 20-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Dhanteras | Tue | 29-Oct | Restricted Holiday |
| Diwali | Thu | 31-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Kali Puja | Thu | 31-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Lakshmi Puja | Thu | 31-Oct | Gazetted Holiday |
| Halloween Day | Thu | 31-Oct | No Holiday |
| Karnataka Rajyotsava | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Kerala Piravi | Fri | 1-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Govardhan Puja | Sat | 2-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Bhai Dooj | Sun | 3-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Chhath Puja | Thu | 7-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Guru Nanak Jayanti | Fri | 15-Nov | Gazetted Holiday |
| Christmas | Wed | 25-Dec | Public Holiday |
FAQs
Q. Why is Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrated?
A. Guru Nanak Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru – Guru Nanak Dev.
Q. Is Guru Nanak Jayanti a national holiday?
A. No, Guru Jayanti is not a national holiday.
Q. How to wish Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024?
A. Famous Guru Nanak Jayanti wishes are Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti or Happy Gurpurab 2024.
Q. What is the message of Guru Nanak?
A. The main verse in the teachings of Guru Nanak is – Ik Onkar, which means there is one god.
