Who was Guru Nanak?
Sikhism was founded by a wise man called Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak is considered the first Sikh Guru.
Sikhism is still based on his teachings and those of the nine Sikh Gurus who followed him.
DARVESH: Jas, can you help me?
JASDEEP: Sure. What is it?
DARVESH: I have to write a report about Guru Nanak.
JASDEEP: Okay. What do you have so far?
DARVESH: Sikhism started with a man now known as Guru Nanak. He lived 500 years ago in the Punjab, which is now part India and Pakistan.
JASDEEP: That’s a great start. Did you know he was born to a Hindu family?
DARVESH: No.
JASDEEP: But Nanak was very curious. So from a young age he often talked about religion with both Hindu and Muslim people, then when he was thirty, something happened.
DARVESH: What?
JASDEEP: He was bathing in a river and suddenly disappeared. His family thought he drowned but three days later he returned. He had been in the presence of God.
DARVESH: Whoa!
JASDEEP: And from then on, he began to teach the Sikh faith.
DARVESH: What did he teach?
JASDEEP: He rejected the caste system, which divided people into different groups. Instead, he said all people were equal.
DARVESH: I like that.
JASDEEP: Me too.
DARVESH: Thanks for your help, Jas.
JASDEEP: Any time.
What is the story of Guru Nanak?
Image caption, Guru Nanak was born into a Hindu family in 1469.
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What is Guru Nanak Gurpurab?
Guru Nanak Gurpurab is a festival celebrating Guru Nanak’s birthday!
The word ‘Gurpurab’ is a mixture of the word 'Guru', which means ‘teacher’, and 'Purab' which means ‘Festival’ or ‘Celebration’ in Punjabi.
Click on the picture below to find out about the events that lead up to Guru Nanak Gurpurab.
When is Guru Nanak Gurpurab?
Sikhs have lots of Gurpurabs each year to celebrate the lives of the ten Sikh Gurus. Guru Nanak Gurpurab is the most special one because Nanak was the founder of Sikhism.
Guru Nanak Gurpurab is in November or December every year. In 2026 it will take place on Tuesday 24 November.
Tap on the picture below and choose the correct labels.
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