Guru Purnima 2023 Dates and Time

Guru Purnima is on the first full moon day or Purnima of the Hindu month Ashadha (July- August). It is a day to worship Gurus or teachers, secular or spiritual. Hindus regard a Guru as one who dispels the darkness from one’s mind and illuminates it with the light of knowledge. In Hindu culture, the Guru is akin to God. Hence, this is an important festival in Hinduism. Buddhists and Jains, too, celebrate Guru Purnima. The secular version of Guru Purnima is Teachers’ Day.

Guru Purnima 2023 Date and Time

Guru Purnima 2023 falls on Monday, July 3.

Purnima tithi begins at 8.21 pm on July 2, 2023

Purnima tithi ends at 5.08 pm on July 3, 2023

History of Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is the birthday of Sage Veda Vyasa, who is the author of the Mahabharata epic and the Puranas. On this day, Dwaipayana Vyasa was born to sage Parashara and Satyavati. Hence, the day is also known as Vyasa Purnima. Vyasa compiled all the Vedic hymns, classified them into 4 parts based on their use in rites and characteristics, and taught them to his four disciples, Paila, Vaisampayana, Jaimini, and Sumantu. It was he who divided the Vedas into Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva Veda. Thus, Vyasa established the foundation for Hindu dharma with its main deity forms, philosophies, and yogic paths. Hence, on this day, people seek the blessings of Veda Vyasa, who is the ''Maha Guru''.

It was also on Guru Purnima that Shiva, as the Adi Guru (original Guru), taught the Sapta Rishis (seven rishis), who were the seers of the Vedas. Around 15,000 years ago, a Yogi arrived in the upper regions of the Himalayas. No one knew who he was. He had an extraordinary presence. He gave no signs of life, but people saw tears of ecstasy streaming down his face. Initially, there were many people who came to see him. After a while, most of them left. But seven men remained as they wanted to experience what he was going through.

At last, the Yogi gave them a preparatory step and closed his eyes again. After 84 years of sadhana, the Yogi opened his eyes and looked at them again. It was the day of Dakshinayana. The 7 men had become shining receptacles, and he was unable to ignore them. On the full moon day, the Yogi became a Guru to these 7 men. The Yogi was none other than Shiva, and he became the Adi Guru. The 7 disciples were the Saptarishis, and they took this knowledge all over the world. Guru Purnima has great significance in the yogic tradition because, on this day, Adiyogi showed that it was possible for a human being to evolve. The 7 different aspects of yoga would become the foundation for the 7 basic forms of yoga.

Buddhist lore says that on this day, the Buddha made his first sermon to his first 5 disciples. His ''sangha' or group of disciples, came into being after this.

Jain history claims that Mahavira became the Guru to Gautam Swami, his first disciple, on this auspicious day.

All these events testify to the power of this sacred time.

Guru Purnima in Ancient Folklore

In the ancient days, Indian farmers rendered thanksgiving to God on this day for providing good rainfall that is essential for a bountiful harvest.

Guru Purnima Rituals

People of different faiths celebrate Guru Purnima in different ways.

In Hinduism

• Hindus perform ''Vyasa Pooja'' on this day. They chant Mantras to honor the Maha Guru and invoke his blessings. They also sing devotional songs and hymns all through the day. The sacred text, Guru Gita, is also recited in Vyasa’s memory. People offer flowers and gifts and distribute “Prasad,'' which is also called ''charanamritha''.
• In some ashrams, people do Pooja to sandals, which represent Vyasa. Others call on their spiritual gurus and rededicate their lives to them.
• Many also give respect to fellow disciples on this day, as the ''Guru Bhai' as a way of honoring each person's spiritual journey and seeing them as One with the Guru and the Divine.
• Some commence their spiritual journey on this day by taking Deeksha (offering to gurus).
• Students of Indian classical music pay respects to their music teachers to reinforce the sacred bond between the teacher and the student called the 'Guru-shishya parampara'.

In Buddhism

• Buddhists conduct a ritual called 'Uposatha'. They honor the 8 teachings of the Buddha on Guru Purnima. Buddhist monks also begin their journey of meditation and other ascetic practices on this holy day.
• Secular Traditions
• Past and present students visit their teachers in their educational institutions and offer them gifts besides expressing their gratitude toward them. Poems are recited, and the teachers bless the students.

Guru Purnima Pooja Vidhi

• Wake up early, bathe, and wear clean clothes.
• Place a white cloth in the North direction of the house.
• Place the idols or pictures of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Sage Vyasa, and your Guru on it.  
• Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are the supreme Gurus. Express your gratitude to them and invoke their blessings.
• Offer flowers and fragrant garlands to the deities and Gurus.
• Then visit your own Guru.
• Make your Guru sit on a chair and offer him/her a garland.
• Offer clothes, fruits, flowers, garland, and Dakshina (in the form of money) to your Guru, and then ask for their blessings.

Significance of Guru Purnima 

• Vyasa was the author of the Brahma Sutra, Mahabharata, Shrimad Bhagvat, and 18 Puranas.
• The Hindu Shastras claim that Vyasa was aware of all the Kaals (times - past, present, future). With his divine vision, he foresaw that people would lose interest in religion in the future. So he divided the Vedas into 4 parts, as he wanted people with less understanding and memory to use this knowledge.
• As this knowledge was mysterious and difficult, he then created Puranas as the fifth Veda. In the Puranas, he explained the knowledge contained in the Vedas as interesting tales. He shared the knowledge of the Puranas with his student Roma Harshan. Students of Vyasa then divided these Vedas further into many branches and sub-branches.
• On this day, the elders of the family, like parents, siblings, etc., should also be regarded as Gurus.
• We can gain knowledge only with the blessings of our Gurus, who help remove our mental blockages.
• The blessings of the Guru ensure our welfare and bring auspiciousness in life. With the Guru’s grace, we can acquire all the Vidyas (powers & knowledge) of the world.
• This is an auspicious day to get the Mantra from the Guru.