Guru Purnima 2026 – Festival Honoring Teachers and Spiritual Guides

Full Date

29 July 2026 Morning 6:00 AM – 29 July 2026 Night 8:05 PM

Muhurat Timings in India

• Guru Puja and Vyasa Puja

  On July 29, 2026, the auspicious time for Guru Puja and Vyasa Puja is from sunrise until the evening. Seekers worship their spiritual guides and gather for satsang and blessings.

  29 July 2026 6:00 AM – 29 July 2026 8:05 PM

Introduction

Guru Purnima is a traditional Hindu festival dedicated to honoring gurus—spiritual and academic teachers. Celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of Ashadha, it marks gratitude and devotion to the teacher, often called the remover of darkness (ignorance).

Other Names

Vyasa Purnima, Guru Poornima

Pooja Vidhi

• Begin the day with a bath and preparation of the puja altar.
• Install an image/statue of Sage Vyasa or the personal guru on a clean cloth.
• Offer flowers, incense, lamp (deep), and sweets while chanting mantras.
• Offer a garland and new cloth to the guru, if present, or to their image.
• Seek blessings by touching the guru's feet or bowing with devotion.

Rituals

• Devotees wake up early, take a holy bath, and wear fresh white or yellow attire.
• Altar is set up for Sage Vyasa or one's personal Guru, and rituals of worship are performed.
• Offerings of flowers, fruits, sweets, and garlands are made.
• Mantras and hymns such as 'Guru Stotram' and 'Vyasa Puja' are recited.
• Dakshina (gifts/money) is offered to gurus, and disciples seek blessings and guidance.

Regional Highlights

• In North India, special gatherings at ashrams and teaching centers are held.
• In Maharashtra and Gujarat, disciples visit Gurus to offer fruits, gifts, and seek blessings.
• In Buddhist regions, devotees remember Buddha’s first sermon by community prayers.
• Many educational institutions and temples organize Guru Pujas and spiritual discourses.

History

The day commemorates the birth of Sage Ved Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata, who is regarded as the Adi Guru. In Buddhism, it is the day when Lord Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath. In Jainism, Guru Purnima marks Lord Mahavira's establishment of his first disciple. This festival holds deep significance in many Indian spiritual traditions.

Additional Information

• Guru Purnima is an important festival in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
• The word 'Guru' means remover of darkness and symbolizes wisdom.
• Receiving guru’s blessings on this day is believed to guide one towards knowledge, peace, and spiritual progress.