In this world where society was divided by caste, creed, and conflict, there was once a soul who united society, created love among people, and showed them the light of God. That soul was Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti is not just about celebrating the birthday of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, but about the dawn of a new era in this universe, calling people to embrace humanity and believe in one God, in a society where people had faith in countless gods.
Every year, on the occasion of the full moon in the Kartik month of the local calendar, millions of people across the globe remember the first Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti. His teachings, especially Ek Onkar—the belief in one God—are remembered. For aspirants preparing for competitive exams, this day is not merely a date to celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti, but an opportunity to learn the teachings of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who spread love among people and preached the oneness of God.
Now let us walk through his teachings and the timeless relevance of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who remains an icon of spiritual wisdom and social reform in a society divided by caste, creed, and religion.
Why Do We Celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti?
The day on the full moon of month of Kartik is being celebrated as the Shri Guru Nanak Jayanti to honor the birth and teachings of the first sikh Guru Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and founder of the Sikhism. His whole life which was dedicated to a message of peace, equality, and spiritual awakening among the people.
A Day of Remembrance and Reflection
- Spiritual Awakening: Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught people that God is one and lives in every heart, without any discrimination. He rejected rituals that were vague at that time and promoted inner devotion in society.
- Social Reform: He strongly spoke against caste discrimination, untouchability, and gender inequality at a time when these had become customs of society, where one was always considered superior to another.
- Universal Brotherhood: Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s message was very simple, and it was not limited to one religion or a specific region.
When Is Guru Nanak Jayanti Celebrated?
The specific date that aspirants should know about Shri Guru Nanak Jayanti varies each year, and what you should know as an aspirant is that Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated on the day of the full moon, which is also known as Purnima, in the month of Kartik according to the Desi Hindu lunar calendar.
- In the year 2025, Shri Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated on 5 November 2025, as on this date Purnima falls in the month of Kartik of the Desi calendar, which is the full moon night.
- The date of Guru Nanak Jayanti varies each year according to the Gregorian calendar, but it always aligns with Kartik Purnima of the Hindu lunar calendar to determine the exact date.
Desi Calendar Reference
| Calendar Type | Date of Celebration |
|---|---|
| Hindu Lunar Calendar (Desi Month) | Kartik Purnima (full moon) |
| Gregorian Calendar (English) | 5 November 2025 (Wednesday) |
Kartik month, and especially Purnima of this month, is the day considered highly auspicious in many Indian traditions, and Shri Guru Nanak Jayanti on this day adds deep spiritual significance for Sikhs and devotees worldwide.
How Guru Nanak Jayanti Is Celebrated in India
In India, this day of Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated with full faith, especially in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and other northern states.
- Akhand Path: A 48-hour non-stop recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib begins two days before Gurpurab.
- Prabhat Pheris: Early morning processions with devotional singing, prayers, and recitation of shabads.
- Nagar Kirtan: Grand street processions led by Panj Pyare (five beloved ones), with hymns, martial arts displays (Gatka), kirtan, and decorated floats across the streets.
How Guru Nanak Jayanti Is Celebrated in Pakistan
In Pakistan, the celebrations center around Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji:
- Akhand Path Sahib: Same as in India, it begins days before the main event, organized by the Evacuee Trust Property Board of Pakistan and the Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee of Pakistan to manage all the events.
- Pilgrimage: Over 2,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims’ jathas cross the Wagah border to join the celebrations in Pakistan along with the Sikhs in Pakistan.
- Langar and Hospitality: All the arrangements, including food, accommodation, transport, and medical care for pilgrims, were arranged by the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Pakistan Government.
Shared Spirit Across Borders
Despite political boundaries, especially between India and Pakistan, Guru Nanak Jayanti unites the hearts of people in both countries. The message of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji—Ek Onkar, the oneness of God—echoes through hymns, prayers, and acts of kindness among people across communities and faiths. For aspirants like you, this day is a perfect living example of how spiritual legacy transcends geography, differences among people, and inspires ethical leadership across all faiths.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Three Pillars of Life
Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji gave the world three powerful and yet simple principles to live by. These are not just religious ideas for a particular religion; they are practical steps for building a fair, peaceful, and honest society at a time when trust among people was very dim and superstitions among different religions were prevalent across communities.
Naam Japna
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us that God is one and God is present everywhere, not only in temples, mosques, or any other places, as He is present in every person’s heart.
- He also said that reciting the name of God, that is Waheguru, helps us to stay calm, focused, and kind to everyone, whatever the situation is.
Fact: Guru Nanak Dev Ji rejected blind rituals which were very prevalent at that time and promoted inner devotion through meditation and singing hymns (Shabad Kirtan) to find the real path of truth and kindness.
Kirat Karo
- Guru Nanak said that earning money through honest work is far better than begging or cheating others.
- He also said that every job is equal, whether it is farming, teaching, or cleaning, if it is done with honesty.
Fact: Guru Nanak Dev Ji himself worked at a grain store in Sultanpur Lodhi, which shows that spiritual people must also live responsibly and respectfully.
Vand Chakko – Share what you have with others who are in need.
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji believed in sharing food, wealth, and knowledge with those who are in greater need than you.
- He started the tradition of Langar, a free community kitchen in every Gurdwara, without any discrimination.
Fact: Langar was firstly served by Guru Nanak Dev Ji after receiving money from his father, the amount which his father gave him to start a business. Instead of buying goods to sell for profit, he used it to feed hungry saints, which he called Sacha Sauda (true bargain).
Unique and Lesser-Known Facts About Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s life was full of wisdom, courage, and global impact. Here are some of the most important and special facts that many people don’t know about him, but these are important for competitive exam aspirants and others to follow his path:
1. Guru Nanak Ji’s Three Great Journeys which are also called as Udasis
- He traveled extensively across many countries, including India, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Mecca, Baghdad, and many other places to reach the path of wisdom and truth.
- These journeys were called Udasis (all the Udasis were covered in our article on the Udasis).
- He met people of different religions, cultures, and faiths, showing that truth is universal and not bounded by any religion or area.
Fact: His longest journey lasted over 12 years, and he covered thousands of kilometers without modern transport, traveling mostly on foot.
2. Voice Against Caste and Gender Injustice
- Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji simply rejected any kind of caste system and said that all humans are equal in any religion and any region of this earth.
- He also supported women’s rights, strongly saying that women give birth to both kings and saints, so they must be respected and treated equally.
3. Meaning of “Sikh”
- The word “Sikh,” which is derived from the Sanskrit word “śiṣya” (शिष्य), literally translates into English as “disciple” or “learner.” This reflects the foundation of Sikhism, which emphasizes a lifelong commitment to spiritual learning, devotion, and discipline through the teachings of the Gurus.
- Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji wanted people to be learners of truth, not blind followers of anything, especially superstitions which were very prominent at that time.
- He also taught the world that learning never ends; it continues through lifelong service, prayer, and honest living.
A Festival of Shri Guru Nanak Jayanti That Lights the Soul
Guru Nanak Jayanti is not only a celebration; it is a call to live with a particular purpose. It reminds us to walk on the path of truth, help others in need, and stay strong in difficult times with calmness.
