Chhath Puja 13–16 November, Guru Nanak Jayanti on 24 November 2026

After Diwali, the month of Kartik brings two major observances: Chhath Puja, the sun-worship festival of Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru.

Chhath Puja 2026

The main Chhath day falls on Kartik Shukla Shashthi, which is Sunday, 15 November 2026, according to Drik Panchang. The four-day observance runs as follows:

For New Delhi, Drik Panchang lists sunset on 15 November at 5:28 pm, when devotees offer arghya to the setting sun. Devotees, known as vratis, observe a strict fast, prepare offerings such as thekua, and stand in rivers or ponds to make offerings. Ghats in Patna, Varanasi, Delhi and Mumbai see large gatherings.

Other dates in November

Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak Jayanti on 24 November 2026 marks the 557th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, according to Drik Panchang. It is a gazetted central government holiday. The Purnima tithi begins at 11:42 pm on 23 November and ends at 8:23 pm on 24 November.

Celebrations usually begin days earlier with an Akhand Path, a continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, and Prabhat Pheris (early-morning processions). On the day, gurdwaras hold kirtan and langar, the community kitchen open to everyone. A Nagar Kirtan procession is led by the Panj Pyare.

On the same full-moon day, Varanasi celebrates Dev Deepawali, when the ghats along the Ganga are lit with thousands of earthen lamps.