Guru Purnima - Significance and Celebration

Guru Purnima is one of the most important festivals in celebrated in India. This is the day when people worship guru or a teacher who teaches us to follow the right path. Read on to learn about the significance of Guru Purnima and how to celebrate it.For Hindus spiritual gurus are very important. They often consider Gurus even greater than god because according to them Guru shows the way to reach to God. They are considered as the greatest link between the person and God. The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashadha which usually falls in July-August is celebrated as Guru Purnima. A guru is said to dispel darkness of ignorance and leads the individual to the path of virtues and enlightenment. In this articleWhat is Guru Purnima?Significance of Guru PurnimaWhat is Guru Purnima?All Hindus observe the full moon day of Ashadha as Guru Purnima, which is dedicated to great sage Vyasa. He took the great task of classifying the Vedas and divided it into four divisions which are being followed till date. He also wrote the 18 Puranas, Mahabharat and the Srimad Bhagavata. He is known as the original guru of Hindu religion.Significance of Guru PurnimaGuru Purnima is of great importance to all spiritual aspirants and their devotees who worship Sage Vyasa in honour of his divine personality. The disciples perform a Pooja and show their gratitude towards their respective spiritual Gurudevs. This day is also of great significance for farmers because the cool showers of the much awaited rains set in and usher fresh life in fields. In many schools in India kids celebrate this day by paying respect to their teachers by touching their feet and giving them some gift as a token of respect. Guru Purnima was one of the most important festivals in the nation many years back. People used to dedicate this day to the guru and his preaching irrespective of religion and caste. Today, this is still alive in some of the ashrams. But very few people are aware of this festival and its significance in life and living.How to Celebrate Guru PurnimaGet up early in the morning i.e.; in Brahmamuhurta - 3.30 - 4 o’clock in the morning. Mediate in the early hours.After bath you should worship the feet of your Guru or worship his image offering fruits, flowers, incense and camphor.Some prefer observing fast the whole day while some just keep silence the entire day which is called “Maun Vrat”. Some take only milk and fruits that day.Study or listen to the teachings of your Guru.Offer food to Sadhus and Sanyasis and seek their blessings.You can also arrange Satsang at your house or in your society so that you can sing and spread the glory of Guru and his messages.Devotes spend the entire day in prayer and take fresh resolves for spiritual progress.In Hinduism there is great significance given to gurus because they believe that guru played a vital role in the evolution of man. By celebrating Guru Purnima they reaffirm their beliefs and allegiance towards the first guru.Buddhists celebrate this day in the honour of Lord Buddha and they believe that Lord Buddha gave his first sermon that day. During this day Buddhist monks gather in one place especially in Buddha Vihaars and recall their Guru’s life and teachings.A mantra that is specifically enchanted during the prayer session of this day is:Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devo MaheshwaraGuru Sakshat Param BrahmaTasmai Shree Guruvey Namah!Guru helps to gain knowledge of who we are, how to relate with the world and how to achieve true success. Total surrender to the Guru is one of the most important qualifications looked for in students since time immemorial. You can pay your homage to Guru by celebrating Guru Purnima from this year onwards.How is Guru Purnima celebrated in India? How to observe Guru Purnima at home? How to observe a fast on the occasion of Guru Purnima? Discuss here.