|
|
click this icon for latest updates
Last updated on - July 8, 2017, 6:17 PM IST
Guru Purnima is traditionally celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists, to pay their respects to their teachers and express their gratitude. It is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June–July) of the Shaka Samvat. This year this festival is celebrated on 9th July.
Guru is a Sanskrit word. Gu means darkness, and ru denotes the remover of that darkness. Therefore, a Guru is one who removes darkness and ignorance. On Guru Purnima, people pay their respects to their Gurus and express their gratitude towards them. In Nepal, Guru Purnima is celebrated as Teacher’s Day.
This auspicious day is commemorated as birth anniversary of Ved Vyasa, author, and character in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. This festival is usually reserved to pay respect to spiritual and academic gurus or teachers.
Buddhists celebrate this day in the honour of Gautama Buddha as he gave his first sermon at Sarnath. The followers of Buddha observe uposatha on this day to observe eight precepts. Their rainy season varsha vassa also starts with this day. To observe Guru Purnima, Buddhist monks remain in their temples.
Follow Us 
By
