Guru Nanak Sahib · Gurpurab · Kartik Puranmashi
What is the Prakāś Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Sahib?
The Prakāś Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Sahib is a major Sikh observance commemorating the birth of Guru Nanak Sahib, the first Sikh Guru. It centers remembrance of his teachings, Gurbani, equality, service, and sharing.
A Sikh Gurpurab
The day honors Guru Nanak Sahib and his teachings.
Gurpurab is a Sikh observance connected with a Guru. Sikh communities may gather at a gurdwara for Gurbani kirtan, teachings, ardas, karah prashad, langar, and seva. Celebrations may also include an Akhand Path and Nagar Kirtan.
The Nishan Sahib identifies the gurdwara, while the full Moon shows the calendar connection.
The calendar connection
The observance falls on Kartik's full-moon day.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, often called the SGPC, identifies the day as Kartik Puranmashi. In plain English, that means the full-moon day in the lunar month Kartik. This tells Open Pañcāṅga which full moon to check.
Why it appears
The report checks for Kārttika Pūrṇimā at local sunrise.
The rule identifies the Prakāś Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Sahib when Pūrṇimā is underway at sūryodaya, local sunrise, during the regular lunar month Kārttika in the amānta calendar method used here.
This calculation uses that month-and-full-moon connection. Sikh community calendars and gurdwaras remain the authority for observance dates.
References: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Gurpurbs · Supreme Court of India, 2026 calendar