Guru Purnima

Based on Karma Yoga, Guru Purnima (Poornima) is a custom honouring all of the academic and spiritual gurus who have attained enlightenment or who are evolved beings willing to impart their knowledge. In India, Nepal, and Bhutan, it is observed as a festival by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists alike.

Celebration Motive

Usually, the goal of this event is to pay tribute to one’s own spiritual teachers or mentors. It is observed on the day of the full moon (Purnima) in the Ashadha month in accordance with the Hindu calendar (June–July). The event was revived by Mahatma Gandhi as a tribute to his spiritual guide Shrimad Rajchandra.

History

The festival has an interesting past and a deeper importance. It is believed that the first sermon given by Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, occurred on this day. Buddha left Bodhgaya and travelled to Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, after five weeks of meditation under the Bodhi tree. He gave a sermon there on the day of the full moon.

This is the reason why Buddhists value Ashadha Purnima Tithi and why Gautam Buddha’s followers celebrate Guru Purnima on this day in honour of him. Maharishi Ved Vyasa composed the Mahabharata, a well-known Hindu epic, on Guru Purnima, which also marks his birthday. Vyasa Purnima is another name for this day. The link between students and instructors is symbolised during Guru Purnima. It has been said that instructors today have the greatest influence on students’ lives. Teachers not only transfer knowledge and teach co-curricular and extracurricular abilities, but they also help kids develop the morals and life skills they’ll need to function in adulthood. The Buddhist tradition of commemorating Gautam Buddha’s inaugural talk to his first five pupils in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, is where this festival got its start. Later, to honour their teachers, Hindus and Jains also started to observe this occasion. This year, Guru Purnima will be commemorated on July 13.