School Holiday: Schools Across India to Remain Closed on November 5 for Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti Celebrations

Published: Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 11:58 [IST]

New Delhi: Schools and colleges across India will remain closed on November 5, 2025 (Wednesday), to mark Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti, one of the most revered festivals in the Sikh calendar. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, whose teachings continue to inspire millions across the world.

Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, is celebrated with immense devotion and grandeur, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka, where large Sikh communities reside. Educational institutions, government offices, and some private organizations observe the day as a public holiday to allow participation in prayers, processions, and community events.

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Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti, commemorating the birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, will be observed on November 5, 2025, a Wednesday, with schools and colleges across India closed for the public holiday, especially celebrated in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

School Holiday On Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti 2025

The celebrations usually begin early in the morning with "Prabhat Pheris" - devotional processions that start from gurdwaras and move through local neighbourhoods accompanied by singing of hymns. At major gurdwaras, including Golden Temple in Amritsar and Bangla Sahib in Delhi, special Kirtan sessions, Akhand Path readings, and Langars (community meals) are organised, embodying the Sikh values of equality and service.

Schools often commemorate the day a day earlier by hosting special assemblies and cultural programmes. Students recite shabads (devotional songs), share teachings of Guru Nanak, and participate in plays that highlight the importance of humility, kindness, and unity - values deeply rooted in the Guru's philosophy.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469 in Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan) and devoted his life to spreading the message of oneness, compassion, and truth. His teachings emphasized equality among all human beings, irrespective of caste, creed, or religion - ideals that remain as relevant today as they were five centuries ago.

As India observes the holiday on November 5, devotees across the nation will gather to reflect on the timeless wisdom of the Guru, making it a day not just of faith, but also of unity and community service.