Guru Purnima 2025: Devotees flock to temples across India to honour spiritual and academic mentors

On Thursday, people across India came together in large numbers to observe Guru Purnima, a sacred festival that honours gurus — spiritual and academic mentors who guide individuals from darkness to light.

Rooted in India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, the day was marked by widespread reverence, devotion, and ceremonial observances in temples, ashrams, and sacred sites.

A day of spiritual significance

Guru Purnima, also known as Vyasa Purnima, commemorates the birth anniversary of sage Veda Vyasa, the revered author of the Mahabharata and compiler of the Vedas. It is observed by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs, underlining the universal respect accorded to the guru in Indian tradition.

The day holds immense importance for those walking the spiritual path, symbolising the profound bond between guru and disciple. Devotees across India performed Guru puja, offered prayers, and expressed heartfelt gratitude to their mentors for imparting wisdom and moral values.

Faith on display across sacred cities

In Ayodhya, faith surged as lakhs of devotees thronged the Saryu Ghats at dawn to take a ritualistic dip in the holy river. The atmosphere reverberated with chants, bhajans, and the echoes of ancient mantras.

After bathing, many visited their spiritual gurus to seek blessings and participate in traditional rituals that honour the guru-shishya (teacher-disciple) lineage.

Varanasi, the eternal city, saw a sea of worshippers at revered spiritual centres such as Aghor Peeth Keenaram Ashram. Long queues of devotees paid obeisance at the feet of their gurus, praying for spiritual elevation and inner peace.

In Maharashtra, thousands flocked to the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, where the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust hosted a three-day Guru Purnima festival. The main day witnessed an overwhelming turnout, reflecting the deep spiritual devotion of Sai Baba’s followers.

Prayagraj too witnessed massive gatherings at the Triveni Sangam, where devotees performed ritualistic baths before heading to temples and monasteries to receive blessings from saints and seers.

Leaders extend warm wishes

The spirit of Guru Purnima was echoed by national leaders who took to social media to share their thoughts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation, stating on X, “Best wishes to everyone on the special occasion of Guru Purnima.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid tribute to the enduring guru-shishya tradition. “In Indian culture, the guru-disciple relationship is not only a medium of education and initiation but also a lifelong guide,” he wrote. Shah acknowledged the contribution of teachers in shaping values, patriotism, and character.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a spiritual leader himself, shared a message on the transformative power of gurus. “By the grace of the Guru, the disciple progresses from ignorance to self-realisation, from darkness to light,” he posted on X. CM Yogi also offered prayers at Gorakhnath Mandir, reaffirming his spiritual commitment.

A timeless tradition

— With inputs from agencies