An independent guide to the Nanakshahi calendar, Gurpurab and Sikh heritage
Topic
The meaning of Gurpurab and how the Sikh Gurus are remembered.
5 articles
A Gurpurab is a day of remembrance connected with the lives of the Sikh Gurus: the anniversary of a Guru's birth (Prakash Purab), of their accession to Guruship (Gurgaddi), of their passing (Jyoti Jot), or of a martyrdom (Shaheedi Purab). The best known in the wider world is the Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, often called Guru Nanak Jayanti.
This section explains what the word means, where it comes from and how sangats observe these days, from the continuous Akhand Path and early-morning Prabhat Pheris to Nagar Kirtan processions and langar that is open to everyone.
Gurpurab is often used to mean Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birth anniversary, but the word covers far more. Here is what it means, the kinds of Gurpurab Sikhs observe, and the traditions that shape them.
By NanakShahi Editorial Team6 min read
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Why two calendars can give two different dates for the same Gurpurab, and what to do about it: a step-by-step method for confirming Sikh dates, plus practical advice for families, schools, workplaces and gurdwara committees.
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A season-by-season guide to the Sikh year: the major Gurpurabs, martyrdom days and festivals, what each one marks, which calendar sets its date, and roughly when to expect it.
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Why is Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birth celebrated in Katak when some early sources point to Vaisakh? This guide looks at the date question, the places at the heart of the Gurpurab, and how the day unfolds in a gurdwara.
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