Guru Nanak Jayanti in Varanasi 2026: Gurpurab, Gurdwaras and Langar in Kashi

Varanasi is best known for its ghats and temples, but the city has always held room for other faiths, and one of the warmest festival days in its calendar belongs to the Sikh community. Guru Nanak Jayanti, also called Gurpurab or Prakash Utsav, celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. In Kashi, the day carries an extra layer of meaning, because Sikh tradition remembers Guru Nanak's own visit to this city more than five centuries ago. The celebration is open-hearted, musical and generous — and, since the festival coincides with Kartik Purnima, it unfolds on the very same day as Dev Deepawali.

Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026 falls on Tuesday, 24 November, on the full-moon day of the month of Kartik. Because the Sikh calendar and the Hindu panchang are calculated differently, the date can occasionally differ by a day between sources, so gurdwara notice boards and the committees' announcements are the most reliable reference.

Guru Nanak and Kashi: the tradition

According to Sikh tradition, Guru Nanak undertook long journeys, known as udasis, across India and beyond, spreading a message of one God, honest work, sharing with others and remembrance of the divine name. Kashi, as the great centre of Sanskrit learning and Hindu devotion, was a natural stop. Accounts recorded in the Sikh janamsakhi literature describe the Guru's arrival in Varanasi around the time of Mahashivratri and his conversations with scholars and priests of the city.

One of the best-remembered episodes tells of a discussion with a learned pandit, in which the Guru gently questioned the idea that outward ritual alone could bring a person closer to the divine. The message attributed to him was one of sincerity: that devotion is measured by the heart, by truthful living and by service to others, rather than by display. The tradition says that his words made a lasting impression, and that the city's learned community remembered the visit with respect.

We share these accounts as they are preserved in tradition, with respect for the sources and for the community that holds them dear. Historians and devotees may emphasise different details, and visitors who want a deeper understanding are encouraged to speak with the sevadars at the gurdwaras themselves, who are often happy to tell the story in their own words.

Gurdwaras to know in Varanasi

Varanasi has several gurdwaras, some of them linked in tradition with the visits of the Sikh Gurus to Kashi. The best-known are in the older, central parts of the city. Because opening hours, programmes and even names can vary, check locally before you go.

• Gurdwara Nichibagh (Bari Sangat): One of the oldest and most widely visited Sikh shrines in the city, associated in tradition with the stay of Guru Nanak. It is the focal point for Gurpurab observances, with continuous kirtan and a large langar.
• Gurdwara Guru Ka Bagh: Another historic Sikh site, regarded by the community as connected to the Gurus' visits to Kashi. Expect a calm, well-kept compound and devotional music through the day.
• Other neighbourhood gurdwaras: Varanasi also has smaller gurdwaras serving local families and students from Punjab studying at the city's institutions. These often hold their own prabhat pheris and langars during Gurpurab.

For a wider look at the city's non-Hindu heritage, including Jain and Sikh sites, our guide to Jain and Sikh temples in Varanasi describes the sacred places across the city and how to visit them respectfully.

How Gurpurab is celebrated in Kashi

The festival begins well before the main day, with devotional preparation in the weeks ahead. In the days leading up to Gurpurab, gurdwaras are cleaned and decorated with lights, flowers and banners. The programme usually follows a familiar pattern, though each gurdwara adapts it to its own community.

Akhand Path

Two days before the festival, an Akhand Path — a continuous, uninterrupted recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, lasting about 48 hours — usually begins, completed on the morning of Gurpurab. Teams of readers take turns throughout the day and night. Visitors are welcome to sit quietly and listen for as long as they wish.

Prabhat Pheri

In the early mornings before the festival, small groups walk through neighbourhood lanes singing shabads, the hymns of the Gurus. The prabhat pheri is one of the loveliest sights of the season, and in a city that wakes early for the ghats, the singing mingles with the sound of temple bells and the first aarti of the day.

Nagar Kirtan

On or around the main day, a nagar kirtan — a joyful procession — passes through the city's streets. The Guru Granth Sahib is carried on a decorated palanquin, led by the Panj Pyare, the five beloved ones, with hymn singers, musicians and community members following. Along the route, neighbours and shopkeepers of all backgrounds often set out water, tea and sweets to welcome the procession. It is a striking example of Varanasi's tradition of shared celebration.

Kirtan Darbar and katha

On the day itself, the morning begins with the singing of Asa di Var, followed by kirtan and katha — explanations of the Guru's teachings — and a special divan. Ragis, or hymn singers, from near and far are often invited. If you enjoy devotional music, the shabad kirtan in the main hall is a deeply moving experience even for those who do not understand the Gurmukhi script.

Langar

No Gurpurab is complete without langar, the community kitchen at the heart of Sikh life. Anyone, regardless of religion, caste, background or means, is welcome to sit together on the floor and share a simple vegetarian meal. Typical dishes include dal, seasonal vegetables, roti and kheer or halwa. The food is prepared and served entirely by volunteers, and the atmosphere is warm and unhurried. Accepting langar is a gesture of respect, and it is entirely normal to take seconds if you wish.

A day that shares its date with Dev Deepawali

Since Guru Nanak Jayanti falls on Kartik Purnima, it coincides in 2026 with Dev Deepawali, when the ghats are lit with lakhs of clay lamps. Varanasi therefore offers an unusual pairing: a morning of quiet kirtan and langar in a gurdwara, followed by an evening of lamps along the Ganga. Many local Sikh families also take part in the Kartik Purnima Ganga snan or visit the ghats in the evening, in keeping with the shared cultural life of the city.

If you plan to see both, a sensible schedule is to visit the gurdwara in the morning, when the Akhand Path concludes and the main divan takes place, then rest during the afternoon before heading to the river for the evening. Our guide to Kartik Purnima and Kartik snan explains the day's bathing traditions, and the boat ride guide will help you plan an evening on the water.

Etiquette for visitors

Gurdwaras welcome everyone, and a few simple courtesies are all that is expected of visitors.

• Cover your head. Both men and women cover their heads inside the gurdwara. Scarves are usually available at the entrance if you do not have one.
• Remove your shoes. Leave footwear at the designated counter, and wash your hands and feet at the entrance if facilities are provided.
• Dress modestly. Choose clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
• No tobacco, alcohol or intoxicants. These are not permitted anywhere on the premises, and visitors should not bring them in.
• Sit on the floor. In the main hall, sit quietly on the floor facing the Guru Granth Sahib. Avoid pointing your feet toward it, and do not walk in front of those who are praying.
• Accept prasad with both hands. The karah prasad, a sweet offering made of flour, ghee and sugar, is shared at the end of the divan.
• Photography: Ask before photographing, and avoid taking pictures inside the main hall during prayers.
• Be mindful in the langar hall. Take only what you can eat, and do not waste food.

Practical tips for travellers

• Check timings locally. Programmes differ by gurdwara and year. Ask your hotel or visit the gurdwara in advance to confirm the day's schedule.
• Expect traffic. A nagar kirtan and Dev Deepawali crowds on the same day mean slower roads. Allow extra time, or walk where possible. The transport hubs guide offers advice on moving around the city.
• Book stays early. Late November is peak season. Our guide to hotels near the ghats lists options in the central areas.
• Carry a scarf. Whether you plan to visit a gurdwara or a temple, a light scarf is useful for covering your head, and for cool mornings by the river.
• Bring small change. Donations are voluntary; gurdwaras do not charge for entry or for langar.

Food to pair with the day

After langar, the city offers plenty of other flavours. Winter in Varanasi brings the creamy froth of malaiyo and other seasonal sweets to the lanes, and our street food guide covers the best places to eat in the evening. If you want a calm, simple supper after the day's festivities, a plain meal at a local eatery is usually the best choice.

Why this festival belongs in a Varanasi itinerary

Many visitors come to Kashi for the ghats and the great temples, and leave without realising how many communities have called the city home. Gurpurab is an invitation to see another part of that story: the Sikh families whose gurdwaras have stood in Varanasi for generations, the students and traders who have made the city part of their own journey, and the shared lanes where a prabhat pheri and the morning temple bell can be heard together.

It is also a reminder of something that lies at the heart of Guru Nanak's message and of Varanasi's own spirit: that the divine is found in honest work, in sharing what we have and in welcoming the stranger at the door. A bowl of langar eaten beside a hundred other people, none of whom asked who you were, is one of the most memorable meals a traveller can have in Kashi.

Plan your visit

Start with the Varanasi travel guide for a complete overview of the city, and use the 3-day itinerary as a base that you can adjust around the festival. For the festivals of the same fortnight, see our guides to Tulsi Vivah and Dev Uthani Ekadashi and Ganga Mahotsav, and the overall festivals of Varanasi guide for the rest of the year.

Dates and programmes are based on commonly published calendars and local announcements and can vary; please confirm with the gurdwara committees before travelling.