What is Guru Nanak Gurpurab?
Guru Nanak is one of the most important gurus (teachers) in Sikhism. Guru Nanak Gurpurab is a festival that celebrates his life and teachings.
The festival is one of the most significant in the Sikh calendar. People celebrate it with various religious and cultural activities.
When is Guru Nanak Gurpurab?
Sikhs usually celebrate the festival in November and it always falls on a full moon. It's the most widely observed of the ten Gurpurabs that take place throughout the year.
In 2025, Guru Nanak Gurpurab will be celebrated on Wednesday 5th November.
What's in this Guru Nanak Gurpurab pack?
This resource pack introduces pupils to Guru Nanak Gurpurab and provides a clear explanation of who Guru Nanak was and why he is so important in Sikhism.
The text explains his early life, his travels across South Asia and the Middle East to share his teachings, and the principles he promoted, such as honesty, equality and service to others.
Pupils also learn about the other nine Sikh Gurus and the significance of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book. Sikhs consider this the final and eternal Guru.
The resource pack focuses on the activities and traditions of the festival itself. Pupils will read about the preparations, including the 48-hour continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib in gurdwaras, and the Nagar Kirtan procession with the Sikh flag (Nishan Sahib), singers, brass bands, and displays of martial arts.
They'll also learn about the day of celebration, when people decorate gurdwaras and share hymns, poems and teachings.
The day concludes with a communal meal called a langar, which is free and vegetarian, reflecting the Sikh value of sharing with all.
How to use this resource
In the classroom, pupils will engage with the text through reading comprehension activities. They can read it independently, in groups or as a whole class, and complete comprehension questions that test understanding of key facts, vocabulary and sequencing of events.
The questions encourage discussion, reflection and critical thinking about Sikhism and the wider role of festivals in religious life.
Included resources
- Guru Nanak Gurpurab reading text
- Comprehension questions
- Answer sheet
National Curriculum links
Pupils should understand what they read by checking that the text makes sense to them, discussing their understanding and exploring the meaning of words in context.
Download a Y2 resource about how Sikhs care for others.