Guru Purnima is a famous festival celebrated at the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Maharashtra. In 2023, the date for Guru Purnima is July 2-3. The festivities at the temple begin on July 2 and conclude on July 3. The celebration starts on Ashad Shukla Chaturdasi and ends on Ashad Krishna Prathami or Padyami. During Guru Purnima, special pujas and rituals are conducted at the temple. Here is the schedule and calendar for the 2023 Guru Purnima celebrations at the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple.
2 July 2023 Guru Purnima First Day
- 4:30 AM – Kakad Aarti of Shri Sai Baba
- 5:00 AM – Sai Baba portrait procession
- 5:15 AM – Akhand Parayan of Shri Sai Satcharitra in Dwarkamai (Dwarkamai opens throughout the night for Akhand Parayan)
- 5:30 AM – Holy bath of Shri Sai Baba and Darshan
- 12:30 PM – Madhyan Aarti or Mid-day Aarti and Teerth Prasad
- 4:00 to 6:00 PM – Keertan
- 7:00 PM – Dhoop Aarti
- 9:15 PM – Palanquin procession of Sai Baba through the village (Shirdi Sai Baba Palki yatra)
- 10:30 PM – Shejarati (Sai Baba Palki returns)
3 July 2023 Guru Poornima Main day
- 4:30 AM – Kakad aarti of Shri Sai Baba
- 5:00 AM – Sai Baba portrait procession
- 5:15 AM – Akhand Parayan of Shri Sai Satcharitra Samapti (conclusion of Sai Satcharitra Parayan)
- 5:30 AM – Holy bath of Shri Sai Baba and Darshan
- 12:30 – Madhyan Aarti or Mid-day Aarti and Teerth Prasad
- 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM – Keertan
- 7:00 PM – Dhoop Aarti
- 9:15 PM – Chariot procession of Shri Sai Baba through the village
- 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM – Artists’ programs
04 July 2023 Guru Poornima Concluding day:
- 5:05 AM – Holy Bath & Darshan of Saibaba
- 6:00 AM – Padya puja of Saibaba
- 6:15 AM – Rudrabshiek in Gurusthan Mandir
- 10:30 AM – Gopalakala Keertan & Dahihandi
- 12:00 Noon – Mid-day Aarati
- 07:00 PM – Dhoop Aarati
- 10:00 PM – Shej Aarati
What is Guru Purnima. Why is it Celebrated?
Guru Purnima also known as Guru Poornima is a religious Hindu festival celebrated in India, Nepal, and Bhutan by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists. It’s a special day to show respect to our spiritual and academic teachers. This festival is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Ashadha (June-July) as per the Hindu calendar.
Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Poornima, the birthday of Sage Veda Vyasa, who wrote the Mahabharata. During Guru Purnima, people pay tribute to their chosen spiritual leaders and express gratitude for their teachings.