Guru Purnima 2027
Guru Purnima 2027 falls on July 18, 2027 (Sun). Guru Purnima, the full moon of Ashadha, honours gurus and teachers and Maharishi Veda Vyasa. Disciples offer guru puja, students thank their teachers, and ashrams hold satsang and Vyasa puja.
Key dates 2027: Guru Purnima 18 Jul (Sun)
Find Guru Purnima near you
See Guru Purnima 2027 events, pandals and celebrations on the map, with timings and directions.
Find Guru Purnima eventsWhat is Guru Purnima?
Guru Purnima is the full moon of the month of Ashadha, usually in July, dedicated to honouring one's gurus — spiritual teachers, parents, teachers at school and anyone who removes ignorance. "Gu" is said to mean darkness and "ru" its remover. The day is also called Vyasa Purnima, in honour of Maharishi Veda Vyasa, the sage traditionally credited with compiling the Vedas and composing the Mahabharata and the Puranas, who is believed to have been born on this day.
Why is Guru Purnima celebrated?
In the Indian tradition, knowledge passes from teacher to student in an unbroken line, and the guru is honoured as a guide on the path of dharma and self-knowledge. Buddhists celebrate the same full moon as the day the Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath after his enlightenment, and Jains honour it as the day Mahavira accepted his first disciple. Guru Purnima also marks the beginning of Chaturmas, the four-month rainy-season period when monks and sannyasis stay in one place to teach.
How is Guru Purnima observed?
- Guru puja: disciples visit their guru or ashram, wash the guru's feet (pada puja), offer flowers, fruit, clothes and dakshina, and receive blessings.
- Vyasa puja: monasteries and mathas worship Veda Vyasa and the lineage of teachers.
- Honouring teachers: students thank their school and music teachers; in classical music and dance, it is a day for disciples to perform before their gurus.
- Fasting and study: many fast, read scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita or Guru Gita, and meditate.
- Satsang: ashrams and temples hold discourses and bhajans.
How to observe Guru Purnima at home
Take a moment to thank those who have taught you — parents, teachers, mentors. Light a lamp before an image of your guru or of Vyasa, offer flowers and a sweet, and read a few verses of a text that matters to you. Children can make a card for a teacher. Giving to an educational cause is a meaningful way to honour the day.
Guru Purnima around the world
Spiritual organisations such as ISKCON, the Ramakrishna Mission, Chinmaya Mission, the Art of Living and many yoga communities hold Guru Purnima gatherings worldwide, and Indian music and dance schools abroad celebrate it with performances by students for their teachers.
Guru Purnima dates by year
| Year | Dates |
|---|---|
| 2027 | July 18, 2027 (Sun) |
| 2026 | July 29, 2026 (Wed) |
Guru Purnima 2027 — frequently asked questions
What is Guru Purnima?
Guru Purnima, the full moon of Ashadha, honours gurus and teachers and Maharishi Veda Vyasa. Disciples offer guru puja, students thank their teachers, and ashrams hold satsang and Vyasa puja.
When is Guru Purnima 2027?
Guru Purnima 2027 falls on July 18, 2027 (Sun).
Where can I find Guru Purnima celebrations near me?
Use the MyPujaWorld events map to find Guru Purnima 2027 events, pandals and ghats near you, with timings, directions and organiser updates.
Which communities celebrate Guru Purnima?
Guru Purnima is especially important to Pan Hindu communities, and is celebrated by Hindu families around the world.