Guru Purnima 2026 in Toronto falls on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Sunrise is 6:03 AM EDT.
Honors the guru — the dispeller of darkness. It is the birthday of Veda Vyasa, who compiled the Vedas and wrote the Mahabharata (hence Vyasa Purnima). In the yogic tradition, Shiva became the Adi Guru and began transmitting yoga on this day; Buddhists mark it as the day Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath.
Students and disciples across India honor teachers, mentors and elders — spiritual and secular. Ashrams and temples hold Vyasa Puja and pada-puja ceremonies; in ISKCON and many sampradayas, Chaturmasya (the four holy months) begins.
A day to formally thank your teachers — traditionally with an offering (guru-dakshina), even a simple note of gratitude. Many begin new studies or spiritual practices today.