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Guru Purnima puja is performed in the morning during Purva Madhyahna (forenoon) on Ashadha Purnima. The ideal time is between 7:00 AM and 12:00 PM, with the Vyasa Puja traditionally done before noon.
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Rise early, bathe, and wear clean white or light-coloured clothes. Clean the puja area and set up the Guru's photo or paduka on a clean cloth. Place books and study materials near the altar.
Sit in a meditative posture before the Guru's image. Close your eyes and meditate on your Guru's form, teachings, and grace. Remember the Guru Parampara (lineage of gurus).
Offer padya (water for washing feet) to the Guru's paduka or photo. Pour water over the paduka while chanting the Guru Mantra. If visiting the Guru in person, wash the Guru's feet with water and apply sandalwood paste.
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः। गुरुः साक्षात् परब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः॥
gururbrahmā gururviṣṇuḥ gururdevo maheśvaraḥ | guruḥ sākṣāt parabrahma tasmai śrī gurave namaḥ ||
The Guru is Brahma (the creator), the Guru is Vishnu (the preserver), the Guru is Shiva (the destroyer). The Guru is verily the Supreme Brahman itself. Salutations to that Guru.
Apply sandalwood paste and kumkum to the Guru's photo or paduka. Offer white and yellow flowers, and sprinkle akshat (unbroken rice).
Chant the Guru Mantra "Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu..." followed by the Guru Gayatri. Then recite the Guru Stotram or Guru Ashtakam if known.
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः। गुरुः साक्षात् परब्रह्म तस्मै श्री गुरवे नमः॥
gururbrahmā gururviṣṇuḥ gururdevo maheśvaraḥ | guruḥ sākṣāt parabrahma tasmai śrī gurave namaḥ ||
The Guru is Brahma (the creator), the Guru is Vishnu (the preserver), the Guru is Shiva (the destroyer). The Guru is verily the Supreme Brahman itself. Salutations to that Guru.
Offer special prayers to Veda Vyasa — the Adi Guru who compiled the Vedas, authored the Mahabharata, and codified the Puranas. Chant the Vyasa Vandana shloka. This is why the day is also called Vyasa Purnima.
व्यासं वसिष्ठनप्तारं शक्तेः पौत्रमकल्मषम्। पराशरात्मजं वन्दे शुकतातं तपोनिधिम्॥
vyāsaṃ vasiṣṭhanaptāraṃ śakteḥ pautramakalmaṣam | parāśarātmajaṃ vande śukatātaṃ taponidhim ||
I salute Vyasa, the great-grandson of Vasishtha, the sinless grandson of Shakti, the son of Parashara, the father of Shuka, the treasure of austerity.
Offer dakshina (monetary gift) to the Guru, or if worshipping at home, place dakshina at the Guru's paduka with the intent to donate it. Offer sweets, fruits, and coconut as naivedya.
Perform aarti with camphor and ghee lamp before the Guru's image. Sing the Guru prayer as aarti.
Prostrate before the Guru's image and seek blessings for knowledge and wisdom. On this day, begin reading or studying something new — a new scripture, a new skill, or a new subject — as an offering to the Guru.
Distribute prasad to all present. Share knowledge or a teaching with others as spiritual prasad.