JULY 2026
Guru Purnima
By late July, the monsoons draped their gentle veil across the land, transforming the surroundings into a lush expanse of vibrant green.
Toward the month's end, the sacred occasion of Guru Purnima infused the hearts of sadhaks with profound intensity. The day began at dawn with the Agni Avahani—the invocation of fire through havan—immersing devoted minds in waves of ecstasy at the break of day.
Following this, sadhaks offered reverence to Shree Pada with flowers, water, and sandal paste, accompanied by the chanting of the Ashtatwar Shree Guru Gunavali (108 Gunavali).
As SHREE GURU says, Brahma and Brahm share the same letters and sound alike when spoken, yet their meanings are vastly different. A mind absorbed in Brahm can never experience the state of Brahma.
The ashram blossomed with floral decorations and intricate rice-powder alpana designs, radiating devotion and artistry. With deep surrender, sadhaks presented Nivedan to SHREE GURU, their offerings steeped in love and faith.
As evening descended, SHREE GURU graced the gathering with HER divine presence, joining in the sadhaks' offerings of nritya and sangeet, elevating the celebration into a symphony of devotion and bliss.
GURU AUM
Twenty Years of Guru Purnima at Shreejaashram
When the valley is freshly bathed and adorned with the fragrance and vibrant colors of monsoon, sadhaks cleanse their minds to immerse themselves in the energy of Guru Purnima celebrations at Shreejaashram, Khodala. 29th July 2026 marked 20 years of Guru Purnima celebrations in Uttarann. SHREE GURU says, every day of one's life is a gift from the divine which is to be celebrated. The worldly minds recognize the importance of such divine presence in their life, in the form of a Guru avastha, and need a day to honor it. Such a day is Guru Purnima. It arrives in the mid monsoon season in India when the heavens gift life to the people in the form of water and cleanse the bhoomi (Earth) and everything that thrives on it.
At Shreejaashram, Khodala, this day is consecrated with the elements of fire and water. It begins with a Yagna, where sadhaks offer ahuti (oblation) with the chanting of 108 Gunavalis (attributes) of GURU. SHREE GURU says, this is a Yagna that happens in another realm, the realm of the Gharana (an abode of the Supreme Guru Avasthas). For the sadhaks, this Yagna marks a significant moment where they are permitted to be in this supreme realm and offer their devotion, love and oblations to the GURU. It is a shift in their mental plane, elevating and opening them to the opportunity to immerse themselves deeper into their sadhana.
The Yagna is followed by Guru Pada Pujan. Several Padukas are placed on copper patras (round and flat containers) and are adorned with flowers, tulsi leaves, and a lotus is placed on each pair of Paduka. Sadhaks offer water to bathe and wash the Padukas to the chanting of Guru Aum—symbolically cleansing their own self while washing the Paduka (a Guru's footwear) with love, devotion and surrender.
At the end, sadhaks tied a thread to each other, as a symbol of tying their lives to the GURU. Surrendering their past, their present and their future to the GURU.
The month of July was like a preparation that culminated into this sacred celebration marked with bliss, silence and surrender to the supreme divinity beyond and the supreme truth within each sadhak of SHREE GURU.
GURU AUM