The full moon day of Ashadha is well-known all over the country as "Guru Vyas or Ashadha Pumima". This festival dates back to times immemorial. This auspicious day is set apart for the veneration and worship of the Guru. In ancient days, the students or brahmcharis used to get their education in Ashramas and Gurukuls.

The students would worship their teachers on this day and pay them their Gurudakshina or fee and presents according to their means and capacity. The devotees and disciples fast on this day and worship their gurus for seeking their blessings.

It is also known as Vyasa Pumima, because Rishi Vyasa himself was a great Guru. Vyasa or Veda-Vyasa, the son of Rishi Parashar and Satyavati, is also known as Krishna Dwaipayna, because he was dark complexioned and was born on an island or a dweepa. He is said to have compiled the four Vedas, the Mahabharata and the eighteen Puranas.

This day may remind you the story of Eklavya, the matchless Nishada archer youth, who had given his right hand thumb in dakshina to his relentless guru and teacher Dronacharya. He gave it too gladly. Eklavya is one of the greatest examples of devotion to the teacher, and it is right that he is remembered on this day.

This is the especial day for the Sai-Bhaktas also and a special function is held at Puttaparthee to mark this grand day of 'initiation.'