Guru Purnima is the full moon of Ashadha. Karnataka is a land of mathas: Sringeri, the first seat founded by Shankara; the eight mathas of Udupi; the Lingayat mathas, which run schools and feed the poor in every district. On this day each performs Vyasa Puja, the swamis begin Chaturmasa, and disciples come to pay their respects. Students of music honour their teachers.
The story
Shankara is said to have chosen Sringeri on seeing a cobra spread its hood to shade a frog in labour from the Sun: a place where natural enemies were at peace.
The Haridasas of Karnataka, wandering singer-saints, taught through song. Purandara Dasa, who systematised the teaching of Carnatic music in the sixteenth century, sang that there is no liberation until one becomes the guru's servant.
ಗುರುವಿನ ಗುಲಾಮನಾಗುವ ತನಕ ದೊರೆಯದಣ್ಣ ಮುಕುತಿ
Until you become the guru's servant, brother, liberation is not to be had
Purandara Dasa
How it is kept
- Vyasa PujaWorship of Vyasa and the line of teachers.
- Guru vandaneStudents offer fruit, flowers and a gift.
- ChaturmasaThe swamis' retreat begins.
- DasohaFree meals at the mathas.
Why this date
Guru Purnima is the full-moon tithi of Ashadha, on the day it is present at sunrise.
Guru Purnima in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Thursday | |
| 2026 | Wednesday | |
| 2027 | Sunday | |
| 2028 | Thursday | |
| 2029 | Wednesday | |
| 2030 | Monday |
More Kannada festivals
25 JulyPrathama Ekadashiಪ್ರಥಮ ಏಕಾದಶಿ
28 AugustVaramahalakshmi Vrataವರಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ವ್ರತ
28 AugustNoola Hunnimeನೂಲ ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ
19 AprilAkshaya Tritiyaಅಕ್ಷಯ ತೃತೀಯ
2 AprilHanuma Jayantiಹನುಮ ಜಯಂತಿ
4 SeptemberSri Krishna Janmashtamiಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಜನ್ಮಾಷ್ಟಮಿ
Where to see Guru Purnima
In Karnataka
- Sringeri Sharada PeethamKarnatakaThe Jagadguru performs Vyasa Puja on the bank of the Tunga.
- Siddaganga Matha, TumakuruKarnatakaA Lingayat matha that houses and schools thousands of poor children.
- GanagapuraKarnatakaThe chief pilgrimage of the Dattatreya tradition.
Across India
- ShirdiMaharashtraThree days of festival at Sai Baba's samadhi.
- KanchipuramTamil NaduVyasa Puja at the Kanchi matha.
- SarnathUttar PradeshWhere the Buddha first taught on this full moon.