Shiva (Adi Guru)
Guru Purnima
Honouring the teacher who dispels darkness
Guru Purnima is kept as a day of gratitude towards the teacher — the one who removes darkness rather than adds to what is already known. In the Shaiva telling, Shiva as Dakshinamurthy is the Adi Guru, the first teacher, who instructs in silence rather than speech. Many devotees mark the day quietly: a period of study, a period of stillness, and the name held without hurry.
Add Guru Purnima to calendar (downloads an .ics file)
A recommended mantra for this sacred day
The Panchakshara asks for nothing and explains nothing, which suits a day given to listening rather than seeking — and it is the name of the teacher who taught through silence.
Read the Sanskrit and meaning on the Om Namah Shivaya — Panchakshara Mantra page, or explore the full mantra library.
Date shown for New Delhi, India. Observance can differ by location because tithi, sunrise and timezone affect the applicable date — please confirm local temple or pañcāṅga timings if precise observance times matter to your practice.