Guru Purnima
Also called Vyasa Purnima, Ashadhi Purnima
When
Sunday, 18 July 2027 in 325 days
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See the complete panchang for that day โ
Why this date?
The Purnima of Ashadha.
- Computed by the panchanga engine for your location
- Follows a written selection rule, not a copied list
- Governed by the whole day rather than a specific period
- The written guide has not yet been reviewed by a named scholar
Dates come from the calculation engine and are independent of the written guide. How we calculate โ
Dates in the coming years
- Sunday, 18 July 2027 in 325 days
- Thursday, 6 July 2028 in 679 days
- Wednesday, 25 July 2029 in 1063 days
- Monday, 15 July 2030 in 1418 days
Published to 2030. Later years appear as the dataset is extended and validated.
What In short
The day the teacher is honoured โ Vyasa as the archetype, and one's own teacher in practice. The traditional start of the four-month chaturmasya retreat for ascetics.
- Deity: Vyasa; one's own teacher
Why The reason behind it
The transmission of knowledge in this tradition is personal, not textual: what a text means is what a teacher shows you it means. The day marks that dependence rather than the books themselves.
Traditional basis
Puranic tradition of Vyasa โ Vyasa as compiler of the Vedas and author of the Mahabharata; the day is also called Vyasa Purnima for that reason.
Buddhist tradition โ The Buddha's first sermon at Sarnath is placed on this day, and it is kept as Asalha Puja.
How At home, step by step
- Visit or contact your teacher; the gesture is the observance.
- Where the household keeps it, perform the Vyasa puja before the teacher's seat or image.
- Read something from what you were taught rather than something new.
- Where a fast is kept, it is a light one.
What you'll need
- Flowers and fruit for the teacher
- A ghee lamp
- Something you were taught, to read
Fasting and breaking the fast
Optional and light; not a defining part of the day.
Fasting guidance here describes traditional practice. It is not medical advice โ if you are pregnant, diabetic, on medication or unwell, ask a doctor about your own circumstances.
Personal In your region
- North India yours
Kept in ashrams and among students of classical music and dance as the day for the guru's honour. - Maharashtra (Marathi)
Kept strongly in the Datta and Nath sampradayas; the Shirdi and Gondavale observances draw large numbers.
For children
Today we say thank you to teachers โ not just school teachers, but anyone who taught you something properly.
Common questions
- Does this only apply if I have a formal guru?
- No. The day's practice long predates any narrow definition; a school teacher, a music teacher, or a parent who taught you a craft is within it.
This guide has not yet been reviewed by a named scholar or practising priest. The dates and times on this page come from the calculation engine and are independent of it; the explanatory text is editorial and may not reflect your family's practice. Tell us if something is wrong.