Overture

Guru Purnima is an annual Indian celebration that is dedicated to the teachers. On this day, the spiritual, academic, and professional teachers who share their hard-earned wisdom. Have involvement to enlighten human beings are honored.

This festival has significant importance in the life of every student and people across the country celebrate the occasion of Guru Purnima every year with great fervor.

Alongside India, Buddhists and Nepalese Hindu people from Nepal celebrate this day. On the other hand, Traditionally, Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists celebrate this festival to honor their chosen masters. Meanwhile, It is their custom to express gratitude towards their teachers.

The festival of Guru Purnima falls in the Hindu month of Ashadha on the day of Purnima (full moon).

Typically, the day occurs in the month of June or July in accordance with the Gregorian calendar.

The origin of this festival draws roots to commemorate the efforts and dedication of all the teachers.

Meaning of Guru Purnima

The term Guru Purnima has two words, first is Guru which means teacher and the other is Purnima which means full moon.

This festival takes place every year on the day of the full moon in the month of Ashadha of the Hindu calendar.

This day is a tribute to the eternal goodness, knowledge, and dedication of all the spiritual Gurus or teachers.

Significance of Guru Purnima

A teacher is similar to the sun, in its light, the earth shines and offers life. Likewise, in the flame of insight and guidance of a teacher, a child learns and walks on the road of life.

A teacher is someone who shows a child/person the path of rightness and wisdom. He/she educates and makes a child interpret the greatest incoming of life. Thus, the value of a teacher and the day to pay tribute to his wisdom hold a great magnitude in the heart of people.

Guru Purnima is known to people in the form of Vyasa Purnima with a belief that this is the birthday of Ved Vyasa. Meanwhile, the writer of the epic Mahabharata. Ved Vyasa is the pioneer of the guru-shishya institution.

The history behind the Celebration of Guru Purnima

There are numerous tales which has an association with the celebration of Guru Purnima. However, below are two major stories in the account of this festival-

• The Hindu Mythology

In the mythological tales, Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Ved Vyasa), the author of Mahabharata takes birth on this day. He gathers and divides all the Vedic hymns into four different parts in accordance with their use in the rites and features.

Moreover, Vyasa means to edit, to divide. Krishna-DwaipayanaVyasa divides the holy Veda and teaches it to four chief believers. Paila, Vaisampayana, Jaimini and Sumantu. Likewise, The day of Guru Purnima commemorates his efforts and guidance to his students and the world.

• The Buddhist Mythology

The Buddhist community holds a strong belief towards Lord Buddha. In ancient times. As a result, he lays the foundation stone of the Buddha community. Also, he attains illumination under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya.

Later, he delivers his first sermon in the city Sarnath of Uttar Pradesh. Therefore, the day is celebrated in the form of Guru Purnima.

Along with this, in the olden times.The father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi starts the festival of Guru Purnima to pay tribute to his teacher Shrimad Rajchandra.

Traditions and Festivity

The celebration of this day takes place on a grand level in some places. However, most of the people celebrate the festival with simplicity. In short, They invite their teachers to their home and celebrate the festival by having lunch or dinner with their teachers.

Moreover, the tradition and custom of the festival of Guru Purnima involve the following steps-

• The customs say a student must wake up before the sunrise on the occasion of Guru Purnima, take bath and get ready to chant the devotional mantra in the fervor of their Gurus.
• After sacred worship, they touch the feet of their Guru and seek their blessings.
• In Hindu customs, the designation of Guru is similar to the place of God. So on the day of Guru Purnima, every student commemorates their teacher and seek their blessings.
• On this very day, people also worship religious ascetics and invite them for meals.
• In many Ashrams, people organize special devotional ceremonies and hold on devotion to their guru.
• Later, the Gurus offer them a word of his wisdom and conclude the ceremony.

Further,The entire day of Guru Purnima is dedicated by students to their spiritual or academic teachers. Likewise, on this day, children touch the feet of their parents as well. Because, in India, the mother and father hold the position of first Guru.

Scrumptious Offerings and Dishes

On the occasion of Guru Purnima. Above all, You may invite your teachers for lunch or dinner. For example Here is a suggestion of delicious Indian food that you can include in the menu-

• Sweets- Gulab Jamun, Malpua, and Kheer.
• Drinks- Sherbat, Lassi, and Jal Jeera.
• Snacks- PapdiChaat, Pakodi, Samaosa, and Chana Masala.
• Meals- PuriVegitable Curry, Matar Pulao, and Paneer Curry.

Astrological Connotation of Guru Purnima

The month of Guru Purnima has a significant relation with the planet Jupiter. As it is believed to be the planet of wisdom and knowledge. In Hindu Language, Jupiter is Guru. Moreover, It is known to people also in the form of teacher-planet. Thus, the Ashadha month of this festival holds the tremendous belief of the people of India.

Likewise, this month is believed to be the finest instance to unify the Sun in Gemini with the Sagittarius and full moon.

The best astrologers of India mention this is an auspicious duration to connect the vision of students with a teacher’s poise.

Ending Remark

Regardless of the religions, and academics in Indian celebrate the day to thank all their teachers. However, Students visit schools and homes of their teachers to thank them. Further, they bring gifts and flowers to present their gratitude for their eternal guidance.

Among all the festivals in the world. This is one of the most prominent festivals for all the students.

This is the day when they put everything aside and remember the person behind their journey to success.