Guru Purnima is the full moon of Harh, kept by Punjab's Hindu families and by the many sant traditions of the region in honour of the teacher. It is the birthday of Ved Vyas, compiler of the Vedas. Disciples visit their guru's seat, and schools mark the day. It is distinct from the Gurpurabs, the anniversaries of the ten Sikh Gurus, which have days of their own.
The story
The river Beas takes its name from Vyas, who is said to have meditated at its source below the Rohtang pass. The Vedic hymns themselves were composed in the land of the seven rivers, of which Punjab is the heart.
The word guru means more in Punjab than anywhere: in the Sikh faith it passed from ten human Gurus to the scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, which is treated as the living teacher.
How it is kept
- Guru pujanFlowers and a gift for one's teacher.
- SatsangGatherings at ashrams and deras.
- Vyas pujaIn Sanskrit schools and mathas.
- LangarA meal for all who come.
Why this date
Guru Purnima is the full-moon tithi of Harh (Ashadh), on the day it is present at sunrise.
Guru Purnima in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Wednesday | |
| 2027 | Sunday | |
| 2028 | Thursday | |
| 2029 | Wednesday | |
| 2030 | Monday | |
| 2031 | Friday |
More Punjabi festivals
14 JulyDevshayani Ekadashiਦੇਵਸ਼ਯਨੀ ਇਕਾਦਸ਼ੀ
17 AugustRakhriਰੱਖੜੀ
24 AugustJanam Ashtamiਜਨਮ ਅਸ਼ਟਮੀ
8 MayAkshaya Tritiyaਅਕਸ਼ੈ ਤ੍ਰਿਤੀਆ
20 AprilHanuman Jayantiਹਨੂੰਮਾਨ ਜਯੰਤੀ
3 SeptemberGanesh Chaturthiਗਣੇਸ਼ ਚਤੁਰਥੀ
Where to see Guru Purnima
In Punjab
- BeasPunjabThe river of Vyas, crossed on the Grand Trunk Road between Jalandhar and Amritsar.
- Durgiana Temple, AmritsarPunjabVyas Puja in the temple's Sanskrit school.
- ChandigarhChandigarhThe city's ashrams hold day-long gatherings.
Across India
- HaridwarUttarakhandThe ashrams on the Ganga, full of disciples.
- SarnathUttar PradeshWhere the Buddha first taught on this full moon.
- ShirdiMaharashtraThree days of festival at Sai Baba's samadhi.