Quick answer: when should I fly from Canada for Gurpurab 2026?
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2026 is Tuesday 24 November (Kartik Purnima). Some calendars list 25 November, so confirm with your gurdwara. Plan to land in Amritsar by 21 or 22 November. That gives you a day to recover before the Akhand Path begins and the eve, which is the main night of illuminations. There is no non-stop Canada to Amritsar. Fly non-stop to Delhi from Toronto or Vancouver and add a short domestic hop, or take a one-stop connection. Book now. Fares rise through November. Call (604) 265-9000.
Gurpurab 2026: the date, and why 21 to 22 November matters
Guru Nanak Jayanti, also called Gurpurab or Prakash Purab, marks the birth of the first Sikh Guru. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday 24 November, the full moon day of Kartik, according to Drikpanchang. It is the 557th birth anniversary.
At Sri Harmandir Sahib the celebrations run for about three days. The Akhand Path begins two days before and concludes on the morning of Gurpurab. Nagar kirtan moves through the city. The eve, Monday 23 November, is the main night, when the complex is lit and the crowds are largest.
That is why we tell families to land by 21 or 22 November. Arrive on the 23rd and you walk off a long flight straight into the busiest night of the year in Amritsar. A day or two early means you have rested before the eve.
How to reach Amritsar from Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg
No airline flies non-stop between Canada and Amritsar. You have two options: fly to Delhi and add a short domestic hop, or take a one-stop connection through a Gulf or European hub that lands in Amritsar directly.
| Flying from | Simplest route to Amritsar | Our note |
| Toronto (Brampton, Mississauga) | Non-stop to Delhi on Air Canada or Air India, then a domestic flight to Amritsar. Or one-stop via a Gulf or European hub straight into Amritsar. | Most choice. See our Toronto to Amritsar guide. |
| Vancouver (Surrey, Abbotsford) | Non-stop to Delhi on Air India, then a domestic flight to Amritsar. Or one-stop via a Gulf hub into Amritsar. | Popular with Surrey families. See our Vancouver to Amritsar guide. |
| Calgary and Edmonton | Domestic connection to Toronto or Vancouver, then as above. Or one-stop via a European or Gulf hub. | Keep connection times generous. Alberta weather can delay the first leg. |
| Winnipeg | Connect through Toronto, then non-stop to Delhi and on to Amritsar. | Fewer options, so book earlier. |
| Montreal | Air Canada’s seasonal non-stop to Delhi returns 25 October, then a domestic hop. | Four flights a week from 1 November. See our Montreal to Delhi guide. |
The Gurpurab 2026 booking window
| When you book | What to expect | Our advice |
| Now to mid-October | Good choice of dates and seats | Book now, especially for groups who want to sit together. |
| Late October | Fares rising, 21 to 22 November filling | Stay flexible by a day. Compare the Delhi-plus-hop route with a one-stop into Amritsar. |
| Final two weeks (10 to 24 November) | Fewer seats, higher fares | Call us. We can often find seats and routings that do not show in a quick online search. |
What the three days look like at Sri Harmandir Sahib
This is not a full visitor guide. Our Golden Temple guide for Canadian families covers that. But it helps to know the shape of the celebration before you pick your days
- Two days before (Sunday 22 November): the Akhand Path begins. Busy but moving. A good day to arrive and visit in the evening.
- The eve (Monday 23 November): nagar kirtan through the city, kirtan late into the night and the full illumination of the complex. This is the night most families travel for, and the crowds peak.
- Gurpurab (Tuesday 24 November): the Akhand Path concludes early, followed by kirtan, katha and langar through the day. Quieter than the eve, and often the most peaceful day to sit by the sarovar.
Practical tips for the crowds and the weather
1. Book your stay before your flight is ticketed
2. Dress for an Amritsar November
3. Go early or go late
On the eve, the complex is fullest from late afternoon until after midnight. Families with young children or elderly parents often go before dawn, then return for the illuminations with a plan for where to meet if separated.
4. Plan the Delhi connection with a buffer
If your bags are not checked through, you need time to collect them, clear customs and check in again. Three hours minimum. More on the way home, when you leave Amritsar in fog season.
5. Students: use MannPass
Verified students and education staff in Canada can join MannPass. It takes CAD $25 off selected return flights between Canada and India. It is valid for 30 days, can be renewed, and cannot be combined with other promotions.
Make it a longer winter stay, and book as a group
Many families use Gurpurab as the start of a longer trip home. Land for 21 or 22 November, stay for the celebrations, then spend December with family in Punjab and fly back in the new year. We can book both legs together and keep the return dates flexible where the fare allows.
Sangat groups from gurdwaras in Surrey, Brampton and Calgary often travel together, and so do extended families. Booking as one group keeps everyone on the same flights with seats together, and makes date changes simpler. Tell us the numbers and we will quote the group. For the earlier trip in the season, see our Bandi Chhor Divas guide.
Documents and travel advice
Canadian passport holders need an Indian e-Visa or an OCI card. Apply early, and check that your passport has six months’ validity. Before you go, read the Government of Canada’s travel advice for India at travel.gc.ca. Our Indian e-Visa guide explains the application.
Why book your Gurpurab trip with Mann Travel?
Our team is based in Surrey, BC, and speaks Hindi, Punjabi and English. We are available 24/7, so if a Delhi fog delay threatens your Amritsar connection at midnight Canadian time, someone picks up. We specialise in Canada to India flights and book family and group travel every week.
Let’s take you home for Gurpurab.
Search live fares at manntravel.ca/flights or call our team on (604) 265-9000. Tell us your city, your dates and how many are travelling, and we will price the full journey to Amritsar. You can also reach us through our contact page.
frequently asked questions
When is Guru Nanak Jayanti in 2026?
When should I arrive in Amritsar for Gurpurab?
By 21 or 22 November. The Akhand Path begins two days before Gurpurab and the eve of 23 November is the main night of illuminations.
Is there a non-stop flight from Canada to Amritsar?
No. Fly non-stop to Delhi from Toronto or Vancouver and take a short domestic flight to Amritsar, or take a one-stop connection into Amritsar.
How much does it cost to fly from Canada to Amritsar for Gurpurab?
Amritsar and Toronto fares are quoted on request. As a guide, Mann Travel’s published Vancouver to Delhi fare is from CAD $989 per person, one-way from Vancouver, checked 9 October 2026, prices change daily.
Can we book Gurpurab flights as a group?
Yes. Mann Travel books sangat groups and extended families on the same flights with seats together. Call (604) 265-9000 with your numbers and dates.
Fares, schedules and availability change daily and depend on the airline, date and fare type. Festival dates follow the lunar calendar; confirm with your gurdwara. Always check live prices before booking.
