In Hindu culture, a guru is significant in a student's life. This is because it is through the shared wisdom of a guru that a disciple or a student becomes ready to face the world.
The word Guru is a combination of two specific words,
Gu and Ru. Gu means darkness or ignorance, and Ru means the remover of darkness. Thus, the guru removes darkness from the lives of their students and disciples. Guru Purnima is a famous festival of the Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists all across India along with neighbouring countries like Bhutan and Nepal to celebrate the teachings of a guru,
Guru Purnima | Date, Time, Rituals & Significance
Guru Purnima 2024 will be celebrated on 21st July, Sunday. As the name suggests, this festival is traditionally celebrated on a full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashadha. In many places, the Guru Purnima celebration is also known as the Vyasa Purnima, which marks the birthday of the great Rishi Ved Vyasa. He finds mention in many ancient scriptures like Puranas, Mahabharata, etc. This sage is responsible for structuring four Vedas, creating Puranas and their foundation, making the epic of the Mahabharata, and vast Hindu encyclopedias. On this day, Lord Shiva or the Ultimate Guru, the Adi Guru, taught the seven rishis or seers of the Vedas.
As per Yoga Sutras, Om or Ishwara is considered the Adi Guru of Yoga. As per Buddhist texts, it is on this day that Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath. The Guru Purnima festival is celebrated to commemorate great teachers, saints, sages, or anyone who teaches us or the one who frees us of our ignorance. Although it is celebrated all across the country, Varanasi is one place where you will get to experience the true nuances of the Guru Purnima celebration.
Legends Associated With Guru Purnima
According to Hindu legend, Ved Vyasa, who was also the author of Mahabharata, was born on this day to sage Parashara and a fisherman’s daughter named Satyavati. Due to this, Guru Purnima is also celebrated as Vyasa Purnima. The great sage is best known in Hindu culture for dividing the Holy Vedas into four distinct parts: Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva Veda.
After Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, he found his five former companions, who had left him in between while seeking the ultimate nature of life. He taught them the true meaning of dharma. With this, he passed on his teachings and made them enlightened.
This established the Buddhist sangha on the full moon day of the Asahdha month. It is said that soon this sangha grew to 60 members. This was when Lord Buddha sent them in every direction possible to spread the divine message of Dharma.
Sai Baba is also recognised as a great mentor whose teachings are deeply honoured on the occasion of Guru Purnima. The Sai Baba Guru Purnima in 2024 is a not-to-miss event for devotees who honour the highest preachings of Shri Sai Baba, the saint of Shirdi.
Major Attractions Of Guru Purnima 2024
Here are some of the major attractions of Guru Purnima in July 2024:
1. Guru Purnima Rituals and Guru Pooja
Guru Poornima is celebrated with various spiritual activities and rituals. Guru Pooja is also conducted at various temples and places.
2. Vishnu Pooja
Guru Poornima and Vishnu Pooja are closely associated. On this auspicious day, devotees recite Vishnu Sahastranam or the thousand names of Lord Vishnu. This helps channel energies and sync the soul with the self.
3. Cultural Performances
Many cultural performances are also held at various places as well. In several ashrams and monasteries, chanting and prayers are offered by the students and disciples in the honor of their respective gurus. Many disciples recite Vishnu Sahatranam a thousand times.
4. Fasting and Feasting
Many people also fast on this day. At temples, feasts are organised, including Charnamrit (a combination of sweet curd and dry fruits) and other simple yet delicious delicacies, such as Ladoos, gulab jamuns, khichdi, Puri Choley, Barfi, and a few others.
5. Meditation
The highlight of Guru Purnima is the disciples meditating and dedicating themselves to following the teachings and principles of the Guru and putting them into practice.
Best Places in India to Witness Guru Purnima
Though Guru Purnima is celebrated with utmost reverence and devotion all over India, there are some special temples and places in different regions where this festival is uniquely celebrated at a grand scale. Check out the major places in India where the Guru Purnima festival and its distinctive rituals can be witnessed.
1. Guru Purnima in Varanasi
Varanasi, the city of temples, witnesses crowds thronging at various temples where devotees gather to pray to saints, sages, and deities. Long queues can be seen outside the temples on this day. The devotees' enthusiasm is worth watching, and it strikes a chord with the onlookers, showing the height of respect people have for their Gurus. Baba Keenaram Sthal in Varanasi also witnesses huge crowds of devotees on this day.
How to Reach Varanasi
- Nearest Airport. Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport
- Nearest Railway Station. Banaras Junction
2. Guru Purnima in Nagpur Maharashtra
Sai Temple in Nagpur is another place where devotees gather in large numbers to offer their prayers and respects to the deity. Sai Baba is revered all over the country, even in different parts of the world but Nagpur is one step ahead when it comes to Guru Purnima celebrations.
How to Reach Nagpur
- Nearest Airport. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur
- Nearest Railway Station. Nagpur Junction Railway Station
3. Guru Purnima in Hyderabad
Hyderabad also witnesses Guru Purnima celebrations at a very vast scale at Mata Amritanandamayi Math where devotees gather in huge numbers. They wait hours to attend Maha Aarti and Maha Prasadam.
How to Reach Hyderabad
- Nearest Airport. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
- Nearest Railway Station.Nampally Railway Station
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Frequently Asked Questions About Guru Purnima
Ques 1. Why is Guru Purnima celebrated?
Ans 1. The festival is celebrated to commemorate teachers, saints, sages, or anyone who teaches us or the one who frees us of our ignorance.
Ques 2. What is the major highlight of Guru Purnima celebrations?
Ans 2. The major highlights of Guru Purnima celebrations are fasting, feasting, meditation, cultural programs, offering prayers, and respects to the gurus, saints, seers, mentors, and teachers.
Ques 3. What is the significance of meditation on Guru Purnima?
Ans 3. The highlight of Guru Purnima is the disciples meditating and dedicating themselves to follow the teachings and principles of Guru and put them to practice.
Ques 4. When is Guru Purnima celebrated?
Ans 4. This festival is traditionally celebrated on a full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashadha. In many places, Guru Purnima is also known as the Vyasa Purnima as it marks the birthday of the great rishi Ved Vyasa.
Ques 5. Why Guru Purnima is Celebrated
Ans 5. Guru Purnima is celebrated to honour Gurus and their teachings. Devotees pay huge respect and offer fresh fruits, sweets, flowers, and more.
