Guru Nanak Jayanti:

Traditional Foods

Prepared On This Day And Their Significance

Quick Summary

Every year, over 100 major festivals are celebrated in India. These festivals may be observed by a select community, but the celebrations encompass everyone. And the one thing that remains common across the festivals is food. From fancy dishes that elevate the celebrations to traditional items that hold a purpose, no festival is complete without food. And that stands true for Guru Nanak Jayanti as well. But what’s the significance of the traditional dishes prepared for Guru Nanak Jayanti? Let’s find out. 

Deep Dive

November 5, 2026, marks the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru. In celebration of the religious festival, Gurudwaras worldwide prepare a special meal for langar. It’s no secret that langar, i.e. the community kitchen run in Gurudwaras, feeds devotees every day. But on Guru Nanak Jayanti, the feast includes certain specific dishes. And Sikh and Non-Sikh devotees may even make some or all of these dishes at home. But what are these dishes? Why were they chosen? And what significance do they hold for followers? Let’s get some answers. 

Guru Nanak Jayanti: History & Celebration

Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism. Not only did his words and teachings lay the foundation of Sikhism as a religion, but they also stand as a firm message of inclusion and universal brotherhood. He preached about honest work, meditation in God’s name, and sharing with others. The last teaching, particularly, talks about helping those in need and sharing a meal. It’s also what defines the core of langar and seva in Gurudwaras. 

On his birth anniversary (jayanti), the celebrations begin early in the morning, between 4-5 AM. This period is known as Amrti Vela. The celebrations begin with singing morning hymns and end with the langar. While different regions may prepare different or additional dishes, the five traditional dishes most likely to be found during Guru Nanak Jayanti langar are: Kadha Prasad, Langar Wali Dali, Aloo Gobhi Sabzi, Kheer (Or Meethe Chawal), and Roti. 

Kadha Prasad

Gurudwaras, across the globe, prepare kadha prasad on Guru Nanak Jayanti (and even other religious days in Sikhism). You may even find this delectable dessert on other days, as it’s often prepared and given as prasad – especially at the Golden Temple, in Amritsar. But what is it? Well, kadha prasad is a halwa (a type of Indian pudding, but different in texture) made from wheat flour, sugar, and ghee, and often topped with nuts. It’s rich in flavour, comforting for the soul, and supposedly symbolises equality and devotion. 

Langar Wali Dal

Yet another dish you’ll find in most Gurudwaras, langar wali dal is a lentil curry made from a combination of urad and chana dal. It’s slow-cooked and tempered with staple herbs and spices like cumin, ginger, etc. It’s creamy in texture, rich in taste, and often served with plain rice or tandoori roti. Many people especially visit Gurudwaras to sample this dal because it marries taste with comfort. 

Aloo Gobhi

Aloo gobhi is a dry vegetable mix made from potatoes and cauliflowers. It’s satiating and often served along with dal and roti. It’s usually flavoured with mild spices and herbs, like cumin, turmeric, and coriander—similar to the ones used to prepare the dal. Aloo gobhi is simple enough to prepare but hearty enough for a wholesome meal and thus finds its place in most langar menus. In fact, not just in langars, you’ll find this dish in most North Indian homes. 

Tandoori Roti or Simple Roti

A flatbread made from whole wheat flour is always served at the langar. Either a Tandoori roti (cooked in a clay oven) or a plain roti (cooked on a tawa) may be served. It’s the perfect side for main dishes like dal and sabzi. Tandoori roti, in fact, has long been a staple of North Indian dhabas, restaurants, and Gurudwara langars. However, it can be slightly time-consuming to prepare and thus may only be prepared on special occasions. 

Kheer

Kheer is a creamy rice pudding famous across India. In fact, there exist multiple versions and, consequently, names of the dish. However, the one thing that remains common is that it’s made from milk, rice, and sugar (or jaggery). For Guru Nanak Jayanti, kheer may be topped with saffron or dry fruits and nuts for a festive flair. 

Other Dishes for Guru Nanak Jayanti

Apart from the aforementioned dishes, a few other items might also be prepared for the festive occasion: 

• Meethe Chawal: In some places, meethe chawal might be prepared in place of kheer. It literally translates to sweet rice, and is a dessert made from cooking rice with sugar (or jaggery) and topping it with nuts or saffron. 

• Chole: A rich chickpea curry, chole is a popular dish in Punjab. It pairs perfectly with multiple sides, from rice and roti to bhature, poori, and even kulche. 

• Lassi: Arguably one of the most famous Punjabi drinks, lassi is a yoghurt-based beverage made from churning curd. It can be sweet or savoury. 

• Kadhi Pakora: Another curry-based dish, kadhi pakora is made from a mix of gram flour (besan) and curd. Often, small onion fritters (pakora) are added to the curry to make it richer. 

Guru Nanak Jayanti: A Celebration That Unites

Guru Nanak’s teachings have survived the test of time because in an increasingly divisive world, his words still remind people to be more inclusive, caring, and supportive of one another. And to not let arbitrary differences come in between. It’s why the simple dishes of langar become a feast, because everyone, irrespective of their background, together partakes in the preparation, service, and consumption.