​Guru Purnima: Date, Time, History, And Significance

In one of the most popular dohas of Kabir Das, he says, 'Guru Gobind Dou khade, Kake lagoon paye, balihari Guru aapne, Govind diyo milay'" This means, 'If God and Teacher stand together before you, whose feet will you touch first? The Guru showed us the way to meet God; if it was not for the teacher; I would have never met God. So, touch his feet first.'

The word Guru is made up of two words - ‘Gur’ meaning darkness and ‘Ru’ which is the opposite of darkness. So, the word Guru refers to someone who extricates us from the darkness of ignorance and enlightens us with knowledge and awareness. The importance of this festival lies in the very meaning of this word.

Guru Purnima - Significance

In Indian culture, Guru is a person or a mentor who drives out all fear and ignorance from a person. In the words of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, “He alone is the genuine teacher who is illumined by the light of true knowledge”. It is believed that our Guru resides in our Vishuddha Chakra in the throat and awakens when we deliver ourselves to our higher self.

The purpose of celebrating the festival of Guru Purnima is to abide by the teachings of our Gurus and to pay tribute to them. This day is dedicated to those Gurus and teachers who made our life valuable and worth living for.

Moreover, as per Hindu texts, Lord Shiva transmitted the knowledge of Yoga to Saptarishis on this day. Lord Shiva is considered the first Guru or Adi Guru of the world.

In Buddhism, Guru Purnima is also considered the birth anniversary, death anniversary, and day of enlightenment of Lord Buddha. It is believed that the day of delivering the first Sermon and the birth, death, and attaining Bodha or enlightenment is the same. Thus, the Guru Purnima is also known as Buddha Purnima.

Guru Purnima - History

According to the Hindu scriptures, amongst the rishis, it was Maharshi Veda Vyasa, who compartmentalized the Vedas into four portions. Mahabharata is treated as the fifth Veda. It is widely believed that the Guru Purnima prayers to Veda Vyas will surely reach him. Hindus revere their gurus as they are considered close alternatives to God. This day is also referred to as Vyasa Purnima. It is believed that gurus' blessings can remove mental blockages and advance your learning. Mantropadesha (teaching of the mantra) is best done on this propitious day.
In Buddhist texts, it is mentioned that on this day, Gautam Budhha delivered his first sermon to his first five disciples. With the onset of the rainy season, from the day of Guru Poornima, the Buddhist monks enter the meditative state and pursue varieties of ascetic practices. According to Jainism, Lord Mahavira became the 'Guru' to his first disciple Gautam Swami on this day.
"Acharya Devo bhava" is a famous saying that speaks eloquently for the respectable position that a guru holds in our lives. Mother, father, guru (teacher), and then God, is meant to be our teachers for life, in that order. There is another age-old belief that a guru can save you from God's wrath, but the entire celestial force together cannot do anything if the guru gets angry with you. He is the only one to take you from falsehood to truth, from darkness to light, from mortal death to immortality.

Guru Purnima - Importance andCelebrations

Guru Purnima is a popular Hindu festival celebrated to honor the relationship between teachers and disciples. On this day, people worship their teachers, gurus, and mentors. They pay gratitude to their Gurus for guiding them through their childhood and formative years, and for carrying them to the light of knowledge.

Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima and is observed as the birth anniversary of Veda Vyasa, a great sage and author of the Hindu epic, Mahabharata. This festival is also celebrated as Gyaan Purnima owing to its association with knowledge and teachings.

Apart from Hindus, the Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs also celebrate Guru Purnima. The Sikhs observe this day to honor their Ten Spiritual Gurus. Whereas Jains mark it as a “Treenok Guru Purnima”, a day when Lord Mahavira made his first disciple. In Buddhist culture, it is believed that Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath on the day of Guru Purnima. They celebrate this day as Buddha Purnima.

Guru Purnima – Date and Time

As per Hindu Calendar, Guru Purnima is observed all across India on Ashadha Purnima (full moon day in Ashadha Month).This year Guru Purnima 2022 will be observed on Wednesday 13 July 2022. The Sun will rise on 13 July 2022 at 05:53 am and the Sun sets on 13 July 2022 at 07:11 pm. 12:07 am. Purnima tithi begins on 13 July 2022 at 04:01 am. Purnima Tithi Ends on 14 July 2022 at 12:07 am.
Guru Purnima - Rituals

Guru Purnima is celebrated in India and other countries like Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. To observe Guru Purnima, various rituals are prevalent in Hindus and Buddhists. Here is a glimpse of it.

• On Guru Purnima, devotees take a bath and put on new clothes before they offer their prayers and tribute to their Gurus. They also offer “Deeksha” to their mentors and teachers. They recite Guru Shloka while remembering their teachers.

“|| Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara

Guru Saakshaat Parabrahma, Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah ||”

• On this day, devotees worship Maharishi Vyas and also pay offerings to Sri Madhvacharya, Adi Shankara, and Sri Ramanuja Acharya, revered as Maha Gurus in Hindu culture. People perform “Vyas Puja” and recite Mantras and hymns. Guru Gita, a holy text is also read in the memory of Maha Guru.

• If one’s Guru is not alive, his picture or portrait is worshiped as per the rituals. The recital of Mantras is also done as per norms in the Guru’s remembrance.

• Guru Purnima Puja and Yajna are performed at temples and homes to seek the blessings of Gurus. Some people also observe fast and perform Yogic Sadhana and meditation on the day of Guru Purnima.

• On this day, Buddhists honor Lord Buddha and pay homage by visiting his shrines. They conduct a ritual called “Uposatha” and listen to the eight teachings of Buddha. Many monks consider this auspicious day to start their journey of meditation and ascetic practices.
• Flowers, incense, candles, Prasad, Milk, Earthen clay or Diyas, and Holy water are offered to idols of Lord Buddha by priests, monks, and nuns. Devotees dress up in white clothes and prepare “Kheer” to serve as Prasad.