Next: 24 Nov 2026
Guru Nanak Jayanti
Gurdwaras outlined in lights, processions in saffron and blue, and the Golden Temple shining over its pool.
The colours of Guru Nanak Jayanti
Sikhs celebrate the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of their faith, on the full moon of the month of Kartik. The day before, a procession carries the scripture through the town on a float covered with flowers, led by five men in saffron or deep blue with swords, and followed by singers and by teams showing gatka, the Sikh martial art. Turbans in the procession are mostly saffron, yellow and blue. At night gurdwaras are outlined in strings of lights and rows of oil lamps. At Amritsar the Golden Temple, its upper walls covered in gilded copper, is lit and reflected in the water around it, and fireworks follow. Everyone who comes is fed in the langar, the free kitchen.
#F4801AKesari saffronTurbans, flags and robes.#1B2A6BKhalsa blueThe deep blue of the Khalsa.#D4AF37Harmandir goldThe gilded walls of the Golden Temple.#F6C453Lamp glowOil lamps and lights at night.#F6F4EEMarble whiteThe marble walkway round the pool.Values are fair approximations, not official shades.
Read about the colours
Written by the Rang desk with AI assistance. Background: "Guru Nanak Gurpurab" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from family to family and place to place. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.