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Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav is one of the most significant events in the Sikh calendar, celebrating the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. Symbolising “light,” the word Prakash reflects the divine wisdom and spiritual enlightenment Guru Nanak brought to the world. Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav is marked by illuminated Gurdwaras, soulful Kirtans, and community Langars, which reflect Sikh values of unity, equality, and service. The festival warmly welcomes people of all faiths, offering a rich cultural and spiritual experience for devotees and tourists alike.
When Is Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav 2025?
Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav in 2025 will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, which is the day of Kartik Purnima. About 3-4 weeks in advance, the entire city of Amritsar gets beautifully decorated with lights on Gurdwaras and the Prabhat Pheris and Nagar Kirtans. People keep the Akhand Path of the Guru Granth Sahib, Bhajans are sung, and Langars are organised where thousands of people eat together. On the main day, the Gurdwaras organise processions, recitations of prayers, and also there are evening illuminations which attract a large number of pilgrims, citizens, and even foreign tourists who want to experience the spiritual vitality of the Sikh religion.
Suggested Read: Top Festivals In India That Showcase Its Rich Heritage
Why Experience Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav?
Photo: Mack Male / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav is more than a festival—it’s a spiritual journey that brings Sikh traditions to life through devotion, harmony, and community service. Celebrated with rituals like Akhand Path, soul-stirring Kirtans, and Langar, the festival reflects Guru Nanak’s teachings of equality and compassion. Illuminated Gurdwaras and vibrant processions fill the streets as hymns echo in unity. Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav offers tourists a deeply cultural and spiritual experience, where centuries-old traditions remain vibrant, inviting participation and reflection in an atmosphere of shared faith and service.
Best Places To Witness Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav
During Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav, places like Amritsar and Sultanpur Lodhi become vibrant centres reflecting the spiritual legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
1. Amritsar, Punjab – The Golden Temple
Photo: NARINDER PAL / Unsplash
Amritsar has been the origin of the Sikh religion, and the Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib) is undoubtedly the most visually appealing place to be at the festival when Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav happens there. Weeks before the main day, the temple premises are beautifully lit, decorated with flowers, and dotted with diyas that sparkle and give a magnificent view. People come to the Akhand Path, a 48-hour non-stop reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, and also attend the Kirtan, which is held in the temple complex and is an integral part of the festival.
Location: Golden Temple Road, Amritsar, Punjab 143006, India
Highlights: Fireworks, illuminated temple, Nagar Kirtans, Langar
Suggested Read: Best Places To Visit Near Golden Temple For An Ultimate Weekend Getaway
2. Sultanpur Lodhi, Punjab
Photo: Reubx / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Sultanpur Lodhi holds a very special place in Sikh history as it is the place where Guru Nanak Dev ji stayed for more than 14 years and attained enlightenment. As the festival of Guru Nanak’s birth (Prakash Utsav), Sikh devotees from various states visit the little town, making it their point of pilgrimage. The holy place of Sikhism, Gurdwara Ber Sahib, where Guru Nanak is said to have meditated under the Ber tree, hosts all the celebrations. Besides the continuous reading of the holy scriptures (Akhand Path), devotional Kirtans, Nagar Kirtans, and massive community Langars serving thousands of people every day are the main activities.
Location: Gurdwara Ber Sahib, Main Bazaar Road, Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala, Punjab 144626, India
Highlights: Reenactments, illuminated Gurdwaras, Langar
3. Nanded, Maharashtra – Takht Sri Hazur Sahib
Photo: Jaspal Singh / Wikimedia Commons
Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, which is located in Nanded, is one of the five seats of Sikh authority and is therefore a major centre for the Prakash Utsav of Guru Nanak. The Gurdwara is also the place where Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, died. During the festival, the complex is illuminated with colourful lights, and throngs of devotees come to take part in the Akhand Path, devotional Kirtans, and Langars. The Nagar Kirtan processions here are especially lively as there are performances of Gatka (Sikh martial arts), chanting of hymns, and floats that depict the Sikh history.
Location: Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, Hazur Sahib Road, Nanded, Maharashtra 431601, India
Highlights: Nagar Kirtans, captivating Gatka demonstrations, and Gurdwaras adorned with radiant lights
Suggested Read: Discover Best Things To Do In Nanded
4. Patiala, Punjab – Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib
Photo: vickyji963 / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib, Patiala, is one of the most outstanding Sikh shrines in Punjab, and during the celebration of Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav, it retains its glory with the gurdwara lights decoration and devotees from far and near. The Gurdwara is lit up with multi-colored lights, and the large Sarovar (holy pond) that surrounds the shrine with the colourful lights reflecting from it, thus offering a calm and festive atmosphere at the same time. The festival is very rich with the Akhand Path, Bhajan Kirtans, and Nagar Kirtans that fill the city with hymns, processions, and cultural presentations.
Location: Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib, Leela Bhawan, Patiala, Punjab 147001, India
Highlights: Sarovar reflections, Kirtans, Nagar Kirtans, Langar
5. Dehradun, Uttarakhand – Gurdwara Nanaksar
Photo: Harry123not / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Gurdwara Nanaksar in Dehradun, located in beautiful Uttarakhand hills, is a place where one can have a peaceful and spiritual experience to celebrate Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav. The festival is a time when the Gurdwara, nestled amid nature and tranquillity, gets a wonderful decoration with lights and flowers. The celebrations start with the Akhand Path, and then the Kirtans, which are devotional, are performed, and the whole area gets filled with divine music. Nagar Kirtan here is an event of the local community, where the participants, singing hymns and preaching the Guru’s teachings, walk through the streets.
Location: Gurdwara Nanaksar, Tapovan Road, Raipur, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248008, India
Highlights: Kirtans, Nagar Kirtan, community Langar
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Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav is a powerful celebration of devotion, history, and community spirit—one of the most meaningful festivals to witness. From the radiant Golden Temple in Amritsar to the peaceful chants in Dehradun, each destination reflects Sikh values of equality, compassion, and unity. This festival is more than rituals—it’s a spiritual experience. Celebrate Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav with TripXL and make your journey truly enriching and memorable.
Cover Photo: cascayoyo / Pixabay
