Guru Purnima is being celebrated around the world today (July 10), offering a chance for those of Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu faith to honour their teachers, gurus and mentors.
The occasion is primarily celebrated in countries and areas where these beliefs are most practised, such as India, Nepal and Bhutan, but people in other parts of the world are also celebrating today.
Also known as Teacher’s Day, Guru Purnima is observed as the birthday of Vyasa - an important figure in Hindu religion who was known for imparting his wisdom.
The name came from ‘Guru’ meaning a remover of darkness and ‘Purnima’ refers to the full moon night on which it falls. Teachers were considered people, consequently, who dispelled darkness from the lives of their students.
The Guru can be your breath, your heartbeat, or your Liberation. Whatever choice you make, I am with You. #GuruPurnima #SadhguruQuotes pic.twitter.com/PToVRjsT6f
— Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) July 3, 2023
These days, teachers can be considered anyone from a religious elder to a school professor, a parent, or even an elder sibling.
Guru Purnima is celebrated during Ashadha in the Hindu calendar, which is usually June or July, and in 2025, it falls on Thursday, July 10 in the Western calendar.
By tradition, followers of these faiths will hold puja rituals—a religious routine—and fast during the day, before holding a celebration in the evening.
The Indian Express wrote: “The custom of Guru Purnima holds a teacher high enough to remove ignorance from the student’s life, transcending him to a higher dimension.
“Therefore, it is also a celebration of the knowledge and wisdom that a teacher has and imparts. It further encourages the sharing of knowledge as the only method of attaining transcendence.”
In London, several events will also be held across the capital to observe the spiritual celebration and commemorate certain gurus. This includes a celebration of light at the International Vedanta Society, as well as meditation, mantras and chanting at Carisbrooke Hall in Marble Arch.
On social media, followers of the tradition paid tribute to some of the teachers in their own lives.
Sadhguru’s social media page wrote: “On this Guru Purnima day, dedicate yourself to your inner wellbeing. Do your sadhana, meditate, make a Miracle of your Mind.Grace of your Guru is with You. Much Love & Blessings.”
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also said: “On Guru Purnima, one must reflect, “Where was I before I got this knowledge? Where am I now?” When you see the contrast of where you were without this knowledge, then gratitude wells up. How fortunate you are to perceive the infinity within you, in this finite framework of the body-mind complex.
“For the seeker, the New Year is Guru Purnima, which is a celebration of one whole year on the spiritual path. It is a day for reflection on our credits and debits. A day to be grateful for all that you have achieved in the past and resolving all that you want to do in the coming years. Realising this and feeling grateful for all that has come your way; celebrating this and the tradition of masters who preserved this knowledge is Guru Purnima.”
In India, where the celebration holds considerable significance, India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, wrote, “Best wishes to everyone on the special occasion of Guru Purnima.”
