In the Vedic tradition, Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima and honours the sage Vyasa, regarded as one of India’s greatest teachers and an enduring symbol of the guru–disciple tradition. Temples conduct Vyasa Puja with flowers, recitations and offerings. Ascetics and wandering sannyasis honour their gurus at the beginning of Chaturmasya, the four-month rainy-season retreat, when they remain in one place for spiritual practice and often offer teachings to the surrounding community.