Guru Purnima is dedicated to honoring teachers and spiritual gurus in India. Here are the top seven sacred places to visit on Guru Purnima.
Celebrated on Purnima, the full moon day in the month of Ashadha according to the Hindu calendar, Guru Purnima is a festival dedicated to honoring and respecting teachers or gurus. The festival holds great significance for Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists. Every year, Guru Purnima is observed on the full moon day in July; this year, it falls on July 10, 2025. To mark this occasion, people perform traditional rituals and follow age-old customs. However, this year, you can add a special touch by planning a pilgrimage tour in India on Guru Purnima 2025.
There is also a ritual of bathing in the Ganga River. So, you can also plan a trip on Guru Purnima to take a holy dip in the Ganges. In this blog, we will explore the seven most sacred places to visit on Guru Purnima.
Earlier, people used to follow traditional ways to celebrate this auspicious day by performing the Guru pooja. But the modern ways of celebration are completely different. People send best wishes to teachers on Guru Purnima and send gifts to show gratitude. Besides, people who cannot meet their Gurus visit sacred places to perform rituals, as Guru Purnima is one of the most auspicious days and festivals for Hindus. Whether you want to worship god, perform Pooja, and take a holy bath in the Ganga River, we have listed the best pilgrim destinations in India to celebrate Guru Purnima.
The oldest surviving city in the world, Varanasi, is one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations in India. People from all around the world visit this sacred place every year. This ancient town radiates timeless wisdom. Even the great saints, like Gautam Buddha, Mahavatar Babaji, and Adi Shankaracharya, once lived here. The Paramguru of Paramhana Yognanada, Lahiri Mahasaya’s home is also in Varanasi. He was the guru of Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri. He resurrected the Kriya Yoga. Today, his home, which is more than 100 years old, is preserved as it is. He lived, meditated, and taught his disciples in the same house. To honor Lahiri Mahasaya, his home is opened for devotees to have darshan of his home and belongings only on the auspicious day of Guru Purnima every year. Even a brief darshan is a blessing for devotees. If you are planning your pilgrimage tour to Varanasi on Guru Purnima, then visit Lahiri Mahasaya’s home, located in Bengali Tola, Varanasi.
Apart from this, you must visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Dashashwamedh Ghat. Do not forget to watch the auspicious Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, which is one of the top things to do in Varanasi.
One of the most religious and holy destinations in India is Haridwar in Uttarakhand. Among the most ancient cities, several revered saints and gurus have spent time meditating here. Devotees flock to this spiritual destination from all around the world every year. Guru Purnima is celebrated in Haridwar with great fervor. Devotees visit this holy city on this auspicious day to take a holy dip in the Ganga River to begin the auspicious month of Shravana from the very next day. This festival is dedicated to respecting spiritual and academic gurus. Devotees believe that taking a holy bath in the Ganga on this particular day will not only cleanse their souls but also lead to spiritual purification and blessings from their gurus. Therefore, we recommend booking Haridwar pilgrim packages to witness this auspicious celebration at such a sacred destination.
During your Haridwar tour, visit Har Ki Pauri, where the Ganga Aarti takes place, and temples like Mansa Devi, Chandi Devi, and Maya Devi, and Bharat Mata Temple. Haridwar is not only a pilgrimage destination, but its scenic beauty also makes it one of the most beautiful and best holiday destinations in India.
Rishikesh is located in Uttarakhand in the proximity to Haridwar, a spiritual destination. This holy destination is famous for many Ashrams and Yoga worldwide. Today, Rishikesh is known as the Yoga Capital of the World. Brimming with a myriad of Ashrams, Rishikesh is one of the best destinations to celebrate Guru Purnima. Some notable Ashrams and institutions in Rishikesh celebrate Guru Purnima with great zest and zeal. They even host huge events that devotees from India and all around the world join on this sacred day. So, you should plan your Rishikesh trip to attend the spiritual events and programs held annually at Yoga centers, Ashrams, and some spiritual centers in Rishikesh on this auspicious day. The events include Yoga, Satsang, Special Prayers, and Pujas. Some of the most notable places that host such events are Parmarth Niketan, The Art of Living Ashram, and Shivananda Ashram. Since you will have to reserve a seat or book accommodation in the ashrams beforehand, it is advised to connect with a good travel agent to do the needful for you. Thus, you won’t miss the opportunity to attend the event of the Guru Purnima Retreat in Rishikesh.
Recommended Package: Haridwar and Rishikesh Tour
Located in the eastern state of Odisha, Puri is one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations in India. Puri houses the temple of the god Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu. The main deity, Lord Jagannath, is sitting with his siblings — brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra. Puri in Odisha is famous for the Jagannath Temple, its unique deities and architecture, and the world-famous Ratha Yatra festival. The festival is often held around Guru Purnima, making it the best time to visit Puri. You will see the festival concluding with the three deities returning to the Jagannath Temple from their aunt’s house in Gundicha Temple.
Puri is one of the revered destinations of the Char Dham Yatra for Hindu pilgrims. If you are a Vaishnavite, what else can be more auspicious for you than visiting this sacred site? You will be able to greet and seek blessings from your guru, Lord Jagannath. Visit the other religious sites and popular destinations in Puri, like Konark Temple, Chilika Lake, Puri Beach, and Raghurajpur Village.
One of the best places to visit for the Guru Purnima celebration in India is Shirdi in Maharashtra. It is one of the major festivals celebrated in Shirdi with great fervor for Shirdi Sai Baba. He was a revered saint in India who lived in Shirdi until his Maha Samadhi (the departure of the physical body). However, he used to roam in several places. He was well-known for his simplicity and teachings of love, forgiveness, and helping others. On the occasion of Guru Purnima, devotees from different parts of the country visit Shirdi to pay homage to Shirdi Sai Baba. With great fervor, devotees take part in the celebration and the Guru Purnima rituals to pay homage to Sai Baba. The celebration includes prayers, aarti, bathing the idol of Sai Baba, and the Palki Yatra (palanquin procession). So, you should plan a Shirdi tour with family on this Guru Purnima to worship Sai Baba, who was the spiritual guru for many devotees. Every year on this special occasion, the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust organizes a special Guru Purnima festival that you should not miss. Guru Purnima is the best time to visit Shirdi as the atmosphere is filled with spirituality and devotion.
One of the most sacred places to visit on Guru Purnima is Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu, which is located at the base of the sacred Mount Arunachala. It is famous for the revered Arunachaleshwara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees come here for this sacred temple and the Girivalam, which is the circumambulation of the hill. Besides, it gives you a glimpse of the life of the famous saint Ramana Maharshi. This place has a great spiritual significance deeply rooted in the Saivites. If you are a Saivite who worships Lord Shiva or considers him your guru, you must visit Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. Full Moon Night is also one of the major festivals celebrated in Tiruvannamalai. On the full moon night, the power of the temple is at its peak. Hence, visiting Tiruvannamalai on Guru Purnima is a must for Saivites. You will indulge in the special pujas performed at ashrams and temples around Arunachala. Devotees worship lord Shiva on this auspicious day to express their gratitude by walking around Arunchala barefoot.
Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, one of the popular holiday destinations in India, is a sacred place to visit on Guru Purnima. Its scenic beauty, famous monasteries, and temples make it one of the best places to celebrate Guru Purnima. Tibetan exiles gather in Dharamsala to offer prayers to Lord Buddha and the Dalai Lama on the occasion of Guru Purnima. Dharmsala offers some unique events organized at different locations, like Osho Nisarga, to celebrate Guru Purnima. You can indulge yourself in the celebration, enjoying the activities, like Satsang, Yoga, Kirtan, and Meditation.
Guru Purnima is observed on the full moon day in the month of Ashadha, according to the Hindu calendar. The full moon day is called Purnima in Hindi. This year, Guru Purnima is on 10th July 2025, begins on 01:36 am and ends on 02:06 am on 11th July 2025.
Since it is a sacred day to honor teachers, everyone visits their teachers or gurus on this day. People begin the day by bathing and worshiping god. People residing near the Ganga River take a holy bath in the river. The ritual of the day is to worship Lord Shiva, our first Guru. Some schools, colleges, and universities also celebrate this day by hosting huge events to honor teachers and mentors. Students express their gratitude to their teachers who have paved a significant path in their lives. Apart from this, the traditional way to celebrate this day is to bathe in the holy river Ganga and seek the Almighty’s blessings. People even observe a fast and do meditation. They chant mantras and shlokas to invite prosperity, happiness, and peace in life. Some even donate clothes, food, and other essentials to people in need.
On this auspicious day, send best wishes to not only your teachers but also anyone who has enlightened you with wisdom and knowledge. And devotees should visit the sacred places and take a holy bath in the Ganga River. That’s why we have mentioned the best places to visit on this Guru Purnima. However, no matter what the occasion is, traveling offers ample opportunities to reflect, understand, and connect with something greater than ourselves. Therefore, this Guru Purnima, plan a trip to any of the top pilgrimage destinations in India to rejuvenate your spirit.