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# Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026: Date, Purnima Timings, Bank Holidays
- URL: https://www.gessymorgan.com/guru-nanak-jayanti-2026/
- Published: 2026-10-26T16:12:40.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-26T16:12:40.000Z
- Description: Gurpurab falls on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, Guru Nanak's 557th birth anniversary. Here are the Purnima tithi timings for India, the US and UK, how the day is observed, and where banks and markets close.
- Author: Gessy Morgan
- Tags: World

⚡

**The short version**
- Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurpurab) 2026 is on Tuesday, November 24, the 557th birth anniversary, according to Drik Panchang.
- The Purnima tithi runs from 11:42 PM IST on November 23 to 8:23 PM IST on November 24 (1:12 PM ET on November 23 to 9:53 AM ET on November 24 in New York).
- It is a central government holiday, the RBI lists bank closures in 21 of 34 regional office cities, and NSE and BSE are shut.

Guru Nanak Jayanti, also called Gurpurab or Prakash Purab, falls on **Tuesday, November 24, 2026**, the 557th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, according to [Drik Panchang](https://www.drikpanchang.com/calendars/indian/sikh-festivals/jayanti/guru-nanak-jayanti-date.html?year=2026&ref=localhost). The Kartik Purnima tithi on which it is observed begins at **11:42 PM IST on November 23** and ends at **8:23 PM IST on November 24**. In New York that is 1:12 PM ET on November 23 to 9:53 AM ET on November 24, and in London 6:12 PM to 2:53 PM GMT.

As of October 26, 2026, November 24 is also confirmed as a holiday in the central government's 2026 list and the RBI bank holiday calendar. Below are the tithi timings, what the day means, how it is commonly observed, and which banks and markets close. Programme times at individual gurdwaras vary, so local gurdwara announcements are the best guide.

## Purnima tithi timings for Gurpurab 2026

Gurpurab follows the lunar calendar and is held on Kartik Purnima, the full-moon day of the month of Kartik. Drik Panchang gives these Purnima times, each in local time:

- **New Delhi (IST):** 11:42 PM on November 23 to 8:23 PM on November 24
- **New York (ET):** 1:12 PM on November 23 to 9:53 AM on November 24 ([Drik Panchang, New York](https://www.drikpanchang.com/calendars/indian/sikh-festivals/jayanti/guru-nanak-jayanti-date.html?year=2026&geoname-id=5128581&ref=localhost))
- **Los Angeles (PT):** 10:12 AM on November 23 to 6:53 AM on November 24 ([Los Angeles](https://www.drikpanchang.com/calendars/indian/sikh-festivals/jayanti/guru-nanak-jayanti-date.html?year=2026&geoname-id=5368361&ref=localhost))
- **London (GMT):** 6:12 PM on November 23 to 2:53 PM on November 24 ([London](https://www.drikpanchang.com/calendars/indian/sikh-festivals/jayanti/guru-nanak-jayanti-date.html?year=2026&geoname-id=2643743&ref=localhost))

Drik Panchang still lists the observance on Tuesday, November 24, for all three overseas cities, even though the tithi ends early that morning in Los Angeles. US figures are in standard time, since clocks fall back on November 1.

[News18](https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/events/guru-nanak-jayanti-2026-date-muhurat-rituals-significance-guru-nanak-teachings-aa-ws-kl-9794786.html?ref=localhost) gives the same IST tithi times and notes that because Purnima covers most of November 24, that day is treated as the main day. Drik Panchang's [Purnima calendar](https://www.drikpanchang.com/vrats/purnimasidates.html?year=2026&ref=localhost) also places Kartika Purnima on November 24, and [The Economic Times](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/astrology/others/november-2026-hindu-festival-calendar-diwali-chhath-puja-dev-diwali-and-other-important-dates/articleshow/135206119.cms?ref=localhost) lists Guru Nanak Jayanti, Kartik Purnima and Dev Diwali together on that date.

![Fact card: Guru Nanak Jayanti is on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, the 557th birth anniversary; Purnima runs from 11:42 PM IST on November 23 to 8:23 PM IST on November 24; banks close in 21 of 34 RBI office cities and NSE and BSE are closed.](https://www.gessymorgan.com/content/images/2026/10/guru-nanak-jayanti-2026-facts.png)

Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026: key facts. Sources: Drik Panchang, RBI, Mint

## Who was Guru Nanak, and what the day means

Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the Sikh Gurus. [Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nanak?ref=localhost) says he was born in 1469 at Rai Bhoi di Talvandi, now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, and died around 1539 at Kartarpur, also now in Pakistan. His hymns, known as shabads, stress meditation and the remembrance of the divine name. He is credited with the Mool Mantar, the opening text of the Guru Granth Sahib.

His teachings are often summed up as Naam Japna (remembering God's name), Kirat Karni (honest work) and Vand Chhakna (sharing with others), alongside selfless service and equality, as News18 outlines. Gurpurab celebrates those values as much as the birth itself, which is why community service and shared meals are at its centre.

There is a long-standing debate over the birth date. Britannica notes that some place it in Vaisakh (April to May) and others on Kartik Purnima, and [BBC Religions](https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/holydays/gurpurbs.shtml?ref=localhost) lists the birthday as falling in April or November. Sikh calendars are contested more widely too: [The Tribune](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/calendar-row-splits-sikh-community-guru-ram-das-birth-anniversary-to-be-observed-twice-this-year/?ref=localhost) reported in October that Guru Ram Das's birth anniversary is being marked on two dates this year because of the Nanakshahi calendar dispute. The Kartik Purnima date is the one widely observed and the one used for public holidays.

## How Gurpurab is observed

Gurpurab is one of several gurpurbs, the festivals linked to the lives of the Gurus. BBC Religions lists Guru Nanak's birthday among the most important, alongside the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh and the martyrdoms of Guru Arjan and Guru Tegh Bahadur. Practices differ between gurdwaras and countries, but several are common:

- **Akhand Path:** a continuous, complete reading of the Guru Granth Sahib by a team of readers. BBC Religions says it takes about 48 hours and finishes on the festival day, so it usually begins two days earlier. The BBC traces the practice to the mid-18th century, when copies of the scripture were scarce.
- **Prabhat Pheri:** early-morning processions in the days before Gurpurab, with hymns sung through the streets, according to News18.
- **Nagar Kirtan:** larger processions in which the scripture is carried, led by five people representing the Panj Pyare and followed by musicians, singers and martial-arts displays, as the BBC describes.
- **Kirtan and gatherings:** gurdwaras are decorated with flowers, flags and lights, with hymns, poems and talks through the day.
- **Langar:** free community meals served to everyone, along with karah prasad. Some gurdwaras also hand out sweets to passers-by regardless of faith.

Many devotees begin the day in the early hours before dawn, known as Amrit Vela, News18 notes. In 2026 the date also coincides with Hindu Kartik Purnima observances, including Dev Diwali on the ghats of Varanasi, according to a separate [Economic Times explainer](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/astrology/others/november-2026-kartik-purnima-and-kartik-amavasya-dates-tithi-timings-rituals-and-significance/articleshow/135206562.cms?ref=localhost), so some cities will see several celebrations on the same day.

![Timeline: Guru Nanak born in 1469 at Talvandi and died around 1539 at Kartarpur; DoPT listed November 24, 2026 as a holiday on July 3, 2025; Akhand Path typically begins around November 22; Purnima begins 11:42 PM IST on November 23; Gurpurab is on November 24.](https://www.gessymorgan.com/content/images/2026/10/guru-nanak-jayanti-2026-timeline.png)

From Guru Nanak's birth to Gurpurab 2026\. Sources: Britannica, DoPT, BBC, Drik Panchang, RBI

## Bank holidays and what is closed in India

The central government's [2026 holiday order](https://www.mea.gov.in/doc/6f8d3661-4cd4-4325-8bb7-d119ba10bae8?ref=localhost) (Department of Personnel and Training, dated July 3, 2025) lists Guru Nanak's Birthday on Tuesday, November 24, as a gazetted holiday, and it is one of the holidays central offices across India must observe. The same order lists Guru Teg Bahadur's Martyrdom Day, a restricted holiday, on the same date.

The [RBI holiday list](https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/HolidayMatrixDisplay.aspx?ref=localhost) (select November 2026) shows banks closed on November 24 for Guru Nanak Jayanti, Karthika Purnima and Rahas Purnima in 21 of its 34 regional office cities:

- **North:** New Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, Jammu, Srinagar, Dehradun, Jaipur, Kanpur and Lucknow
- **West and central:** Mumbai, Belapur, Nagpur, Bhopal and Raipur
- **East and northeast:** Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Aizawl, Itanagar and Kohima
- **South:** Hyderabad

The list shows no November 24 bank holiday in Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Gangtok, Guwahati, Imphal, Kochi, Panaji, Patna, Shillong, Thiruvananthapuram or Vijayawada. Stock markets close too: [Mint](https://www.livemint.com/market/stock-market-news/next-stock-market-holiday-2026-when-is-next-weekday-non-trading-day-at-nse-bse-check-calendar-oct-or-nov-11792486748549.html?ref=localhost), citing the NSE calendar, lists November 24 as a trading holiday for NSE and BSE.

For schools, [Education Times](https://www.educationtimes.com/news/november-school-holidays-2026-check-diwali-guru-nanak-jayanti-and-state-wise-holiday-list/articleshow/135205124.cms?ref=localhost) notes that the day is on the central gazetted list but closures depend on state and school notices, and it lists Punjab among the states marking it.

![Bar chart of RBI regional office cities with a weekday bank holiday in November 2026: 8 on November 9 for Diwali, 7 on November 10, 6 on November 11, 2 on November 16 for Chhath and 21 on November 24 for Gurpurab.](https://www.gessymorgan.com/content/images/2026/10/guru-nanak-jayanti-2026-chart.png)

Gurpurab brings November's widest bank closure. Source: Reserve Bank of India holiday list, November 2026

## Our take

Of the big November festival dates, Gurpurab brings the widest bank closure: the RBI lists 21 cities on November 24, compared with eight or fewer on any single weekday around Diwali. For readers abroad, the time zone matters more than the tithi clock. In Los Angeles the Purnima ends at 6:53 AM on November 24, yet Drik Panchang still lists the 24th, and gurdwaras set their own programmes.

## What to watch for

- Gurdwara announcements for Akhand Path start times, Prabhat Pheri schedules and Nagar Kirtan routes in your city.
- Any state-level additions to the RBI list, and state or school holiday notices.
- Earlier in November: [Diwali 2026](https://www.gessymorgan.com/diwali-2026-date-puja-muhurat/) on November 8 and [Chhath Puja 2026](https://www.gessymorgan.com/chhath-puja-2026-date/) from November 13 to 16.

## Frequently asked questions

### When is Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026?

Guru Nanak Jayanti, or Gurpurab, is on Tuesday, November 24, 2026\. Drik Panchang marks it as the 557th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. It falls on Kartik Purnima, the full-moon day of the month of Kartik.

### What are the Purnima tithi timings for Gurpurab 2026?

Purnima begins at 11:42 PM IST on November 23 and ends at 8:23 PM IST on November 24, according to Drik Panchang and News18\. In New York it runs from 1:12 PM ET on November 23 to 9:53 AM ET on November 24, and in London from 6:12 PM to 2:53 PM GMT.

### Are banks closed on Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026?

In many cities, yes. The RBI holiday list shows banks closed on November 24 in 21 of its 34 regional office cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chandigarh and Hyderabad. It shows no holiday that day in cities such as Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Patna. NSE and BSE are also closed.

### What is an Akhand Path?

An Akhand Path is a continuous, complete reading of the Guru Granth Sahib by a team of readers. BBC Religions says it takes about 48 hours and finishes on the day of the gurpurab, so for November 24 it would usually begin two days earlier. Timings depend on each gurdwara.

## Sources

1. [Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026 date (New Delhi)](https://www.drikpanchang.com/calendars/indian/sikh-festivals/jayanti/guru-nanak-jayanti-date.html?year=2026&ref=localhost), Drik Panchang
2. [Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026 date (New York)](https://www.drikpanchang.com/calendars/indian/sikh-festivals/jayanti/guru-nanak-jayanti-date.html?year=2026&geoname-id=5128581&ref=localhost), Drik Panchang
3. [Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026 date (Los Angeles)](https://www.drikpanchang.com/calendars/indian/sikh-festivals/jayanti/guru-nanak-jayanti-date.html?year=2026&geoname-id=5368361&ref=localhost), Drik Panchang
4. [Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026 date (London)](https://www.drikpanchang.com/calendars/indian/sikh-festivals/jayanti/guru-nanak-jayanti-date.html?year=2026&geoname-id=2643743&ref=localhost), Drik Panchang
5. [2026 Purnima Days (New Delhi)](https://www.drikpanchang.com/vrats/purnimasidates.html?year=2026&ref=localhost), Drik Panchang
6. [Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026: Date, Rituals And 5 Teachings Of Guru Nanak Dev Ji](https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/events/guru-nanak-jayanti-2026-date-muhurat-rituals-significance-guru-nanak-teachings-aa-ws-kl-9794786.html?ref=localhost), News18
7. [Guru Nanak: founder of Sikhism](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nanak?ref=localhost), Encyclopaedia Britannica
8. [Sikhism: Gurpurbs](https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/holydays/gurpurbs.shtml?ref=localhost), BBC Religions
9. [Calendar row splits Sikh community: Guru Ram Das birth anniversary to be observed twice this year](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/calendar-row-splits-sikh-community-guru-ram-das-birth-anniversary-to-be-observed-twice-this-year/?ref=localhost), The Tribune
10. [November 2026 Hindu Festival Calendar: Diwali, Chhath Puja, Dev Diwali and Other Important Dates](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/astrology/others/november-2026-hindu-festival-calendar-diwali-chhath-puja-dev-diwali-and-other-important-dates/articleshow/135206119.cms?ref=localhost), The Economic Times
11. [November 2026 Kartik Purnima and Kartik Amavasya Dates: Tithi Timings, Rituals and Significance](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/astrology/others/november-2026-kartik-purnima-and-kartik-amavasya-dates-tithi-timings-rituals-and-significance/articleshow/135206562.cms?ref=localhost), The Economic Times
12. [Holidays to be observed in Central Government Offices during the year 2026 (DoPT O.M. F.No.12/2/2023-JCA, 3 July 2025)](https://www.mea.gov.in/doc/6f8d3661-4cd4-4325-8bb7-d119ba10bae8?ref=localhost), Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India (hosted by MEA)
13. [Holidays (November 2026, all regional offices)](https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/HolidayMatrixDisplay.aspx?ref=localhost), Reserve Bank of India
14. [Next stock market holiday 2026: When is next weekday non-trading day at NSE, BSE?](https://www.livemint.com/market/stock-market-news/next-stock-market-holiday-2026-when-is-next-weekday-non-trading-day-at-nse-bse-check-calendar-oct-or-nov-11792486748549.html?ref=localhost), Mint
15. [November School Holidays 2026: Check Diwali, Guru Nanak Jayanti and state wise holiday list](https://www.educationtimes.com/news/november-school-holidays-2026-check-diwali-guru-nanak-jayanti-and-state-wise-holiday-list/articleshow/135205124.cms?ref=localhost), Education Times

## How we wrote this

GessyMorgan explainers are built from public reporting and official sources. This post draws on the 15 sources listed above, each linked where we use it. It was drafted with AI assistance and checked against those sources before publishing. We did not test products, attend events or interview anyone for this article. Facts are current as of October 26, 2026, and we update the post when they change.