Join the Nagar Kirtan as It Moves Through the City
Guru Nanak Jayanti, or Gurpurab, marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, and in Delhi it unfolds across several days of devotion rather than a single afternoon. The observance falls on Kartik Purnima, and in 2026 the date is October 25, a Sunday, and a gazetted national holiday — government offices, schools, and many businesses close, which means the streets belong to the procession. The centrepiece is the Nagar Kirtan, a grand parade led by the Panj Pyare and carrying the Guru Granth Sahib through the streets. Expect large crowds along the route, devotional singing, and a city that has rearranged itself around the occasion.
Two days before the main celebration, the Akhand Path begins: a 48-hour continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib at gurdwaras. If you arrive early in the festival window, you can sit in on portions of it. On the morning of Gurpurab itself, look for the Prabhat Pheri, an early procession that moves through neighbourhoods singing shabads before the larger Nagar Kirtan takes over.
Pray at Bangla Sahib and Sis Ganj Sahib
Delhi's large Sikh population centres its celebrations on two prominent gurdwaras, and both are worth building a day around.
- Gurudwara Bangla Sahib — reachable via Rajiv Chowk, Shivaji Stadium, or Patel Chowk Metro stations. Gurbani Kirtan, devotional singing, runs through the day, and the gurdwara and its surroundings are illuminated with lights and candles.
- Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib — in Chandni Chowk, served by the Chandni Chowk Metro station. The old-city setting makes this one especially atmospheric during the festival, with the streets around it busy late into the evening.
Both gurdwaras serve Langar, the free community meal that originated with Guru Nanak and is offered to all regardless of caste, creed, gender, or status. Millions of meals are served across India on this day. You will also be offered Karah Prasad, the sacred sweet of flour, ghee, and sugar.
Etiquette matters here. Cover your head before entering — scarves are usually provided at the entrance, but bringing your own is advisable. Remove your shoes before stepping onto the premises.
Eat Your Way Through Chandni Chowk
The area around Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib is where the festival and the food overlap most pleasurably. Street food is available around Chandni Chowk, and it is largely vegetarian — which suits the occasion. Between the langar, the prasad, and the stalls, you will not go hungry. Pair a visit to the gurdwara with a slow walk through the surrounding lanes, where the crowds, the lights, and the cooking smells are the point as much as any single dish.
Watch the Laser Shows, Not the Firecrackers
Delhi has adapted the celebration in its own way: eco-friendly laser shows are used instead of traditional firecrackers during processions. It is a distinctly Delhi variation on the festival, and it keeps the evening spectacle without the smoke. Gurdwaras and homes across the city are lit with lamps and candles, so the illumination continues well beyond the procession route.
Plan Around the Crowds and the Closures
- Take the Metro. Road closures and traffic congestion are part of the day. The Metro is the practical way to move between gurdwaras and procession points.
- Book accommodation early. Central Delhi hotels near the major gurdwaras fill quickly; booking two to three months ahead is recommended to avoid surge pricing.
- Getting around otherwise. Auto-rickshaws and app-based cabs are widely available when you are off the Metro lines.
- Time your visit. The festival spans several days, culminating in the main day of prayers, processions, and service. Arriving a day or two early lets you catch the Akhand Path and the Prabhat Pheri before the largest crowds gather.
Gurpurab in Delhi is a day when the city's gurdwaras open their doors, their kitchens, and their streets to anyone willing to take off their shoes and cover their head. Start with your Metro route and a hotel booking, then let the procession set the rhythm of the day.