New Delhi, July 29, 2026

Guru Purnima was celebrated with immense devotion across Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday as thousands of devotees visited sacred rivers, temples and religious centres to honour their spiritual Gurus. Major pilgrimage destinations, including Ayodhya and Prayagraj, witnessed large gatherings, reflecting the enduring importance of the Guru-disciple tradition and the festival's deep-rooted spiritual significance.

In Ayodhya, devotees gathered at Mani Ram Das Chhawani, where Mahant Kamalnayan Das initiated followers into discipleship during special ceremonies. A Mangal Aarti was performed amid devotional chants, while pilgrims arriving from different parts of the country began their day with a holy dip in the Saryu River before visiting temples and monasteries to seek blessings. In Prayagraj, large numbers of devotees assembled at the Triveni Sangam for a ritual bath, followed by prayers, religious ceremonies and charitable offerings. Speaking about the Guru-disciple tradition, Tirth Purohit Gopal Guru said, “Our tradition says that a Guru should not seek anything from a disciple, and a disciple should be willing to offer everything to the Guru. Without a Guru, true knowledge is incomplete. No matter how many books we read, it is the Guru who shows us the right path.”

A devotee at the Sangam said he arrived early in the morning to avoid the rush, took a holy dip, offered prayers to his Guru and performed rituals while praying for the welfare of society. Meanwhile, in Varanasi, officials remained on alert as the Ganga River continued to rise following heavy rainfall in the hill regions. The increasing water level has submerged several smaller ghats and riverside temples, creating concerns over access to the riverfront and the safety of residents living in low-lying areas. A priest in the city said the river level had risen considerably since early morning, making it increasingly difficult to conduct daily rituals along the ghats.

Despite the rising river levels in parts of the state, Guru Purnima celebrations continued with unwavering faith and enthusiasm across Uttar Pradesh. The large participation of devotees highlighted the festival's enduring spiritual essence and the timeless bond between Gurus and their disciples, reaffirming the cultural and religious traditions associated with the occasion.