Guru Purnima

When is Guru Purnima 2022?

A guru teaches and guides his students towards attaining a spiritual insight. Guru Purnima, also referred to as Asadha Purnima or Vyasa Purnima, celebrates all the spiritual and academic teachers' roles in society. The holiday also marks the day the first, and the great sage, Maharshi Veda Vyasa, was born to Parashara and fisherwoman Satyavati.

When is Guru Purnima?

Guru Purnima is observed on the day of Full moon in the Hindu month of Ashadh. The dates usually coincide with June and July of the Gregorian calendar. Guru Purnima 2021 will be observed on Saturday, 24th July 2021.

Is Guru Purnima a public holiday?

Guru Purnima is a public holiday in India and observed in most Indian states and union territories. It is hence a day off to the general population.

What is closed or open on Guru Purnima?

Government offices, schools, banks, post offices, and most businesses remain closed for the day. Some businesses may open but only operate on reduced hours. Public transport may be affected, and there is likely to be heavy traffic due to processions and religious activities happening in major towns.

Things to do on Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is a time to celebrate your guru, your teachers, and of course, give them gifts. It is a tradition to fast on this day and visit the temple to seek the guru's blessings. You can spend your time chanting and praying as you meditate on your gurus. Some temples often offer sweet curds prepared with dried fruits to the devotees.

At the temple, you need to give floral offerings and symbolic gifts such as fruits, unstitched cloth, and wrapped monetary gifts all presented in a basket or metal tray. Later in the day, you can participate in the ritual that involves worshiping the guru's feet. The guru's feet are considered powerful since every organ's nerve currents and inner body converge there. By touching the feet, you indeed touch a spiritual master, and worshipping his feet is an acknowledgment of your respect and readiness to follow in his footsteps.

Although most Hindus prefer to fast the whole day, a few people chose to feast. Therefore, if you wish to prepare a feast, you can invite friends and have fun on this joyous occasion. Be sure to serve traditional foods such as halwa, poori, chole, papdi, ladoo, and other vegetarian dishes.

Guru Purnima Observances