India is also known as the land of festivals. Every month offers a certain festival to celebrate brings everyone together. Every religion has a number of festivals which is celebrated by the entire country. Festivals spread positivity, peace, joy and harmony in our lives.
What is Guru Purnima?
Guru Purnima is a festival celebrated to acknowledge all the Gurus and the teachers in our lives. The Sanskrit word Guru means the one who frees us from sins and ignorance. It celebrates the birthday of the great sage Ved Vyasa, who contributed some of the most important texts in Hinduism like The Puranas, The Mahabharata, and The Vedas. It is celebrated only in India but also globally like Nepal and Bhutan. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists.
History of Guru Purnima
According to the Hindu Mythology, Lord Shiva gave the knowledge of Yoga to his seven followers called the Saptarishis. This helped them to gain knowledge on the concept of the constant evolution of mankind. This is why Lord Shiva is also known as Adi Guru and is worshipped on this day to honour his valuable teachings. The Saptarishis are also worshipped due to their contribution to spreading knowledge to the world. It also celebrates the birthday of the great sage Ved Vyasa, who is famous for his literary works. He also taught Vedic hymns to his students and was regarded as a Guru.
According to the Jains, Lord Mahavira got his first follower on this day, which made him a Guru. The Jains celebrate it in honour of Lord Mahavira and every other Guru who followed him.
According to the Buddhists, Buddha gave His first sermon at Sarnath on this day, after receiving enlightenment from the Bodhi Tree. That was a full-moon day, and his followers decided to celebrate this day since then. He taught his followers the principles of Dharma, and they spread his teaching all around the world. The Buddhists honour Lord Buddha on this day.
Mahatma Gandhi revived the celebration of this festival for honouring his Guru Shrimad Rajchandra.
Guru Purnima 2023 Date
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When is Guru Purnima 2023?
Guru Purnima for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Monday, 3 July.
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Guru Purnima dates for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
| Year | Weekday | Date | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Sat | 24 Jul | Guru Purnima |
| 2022 | Wed | 13 Jul | Guru Purnima |
| 2023 | Mon | 3 Jul | Guru Purnima |
| 2024 | Sun | 21 Jul | Guru Purnima |
| 2025 | Thu | 10 Jul | Guru Purnima |
Guru Purnima Quotes
There are two kinds of teachers: the kind that fill you with so much quail shot that you can't move, and the kind that just gives you a little prod behind and you jump to the skies. ― Robert Frost
There is no deity superior to the Guru, no gain better than the Guru’s grace … no state higher than a meditation on the Guru. – Muktananda
Guru is the creator Brahma, Guru is the preserver Vishnu, Guru is the destroyer Shiva. Guru is directly the supreme spirit — I offer my salutations to this Guru. – Adi Shankara
Guru Purnima celebrates the human ability to rise beyond physical nature, and the Greatness of Adiyogi, who made this possible. – Sadhguru
Guru and God both appear before me. To whom should I prostrate? I bow before Guru who introduced God to me. – Kabir
A Guru takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart. Happy Guru Purnima
Guru Purnima Wishes
Dear Guru, you are my only lamp in a dark night of pain Your thoughts, your words and your actions shall always remain with me Happy Guru Purnima.
May guru’s blessings always shower on you. Wish you a very happy Guru Purnima. Be devoted to Guru this holy day and always. Happy Guru Purnima
Worshipping the feet of the Guru is the ultimate of all worships – Sri Guru Pranam
Guru is Shiva sans his three eyes, Vishnu sans his four arms, Brahma sans his four heads. He is parama Shiva himself in human form – Brahmanda Puran
Guru Purnima Messages
Happy Guru Purnima: Thank you for making me what I am today!
Your blessings enriched my life Thank You and wishing you a very Happy Guru Purnima 2023.
Many Teachers came in my life but I don’t think about the rest when it comes to making a difference. You are certainly better than the best. Happy Guru Purnima
Significance of Guru Purnima
Guru Purnima is celebrated for honouring the teachers who eliminate darkness and ignorance from our lives. We express our gratitude and thankfulness towards our teachers. Gurus have had a special place in the heart and minds of their students from ancient times. Every holy book depicts the absolute dedication of students towards their Gurus and the strong relationship between them. There is a Sanskrit saying, Mata Pita Guru Daivam, which means the mother should be given utmost priority in people’s lives, then their father, then the Guru and finally God. Thus, teachers have enjoyed more importance than God for ages. In India, the Guru-Shishya bond is the purest, and it helps the student to achieve heights and excel in life. The Guru is considered equivalent to God, and he acts as a connection between God and the students and imparts authentic and true knowledge to them. He has the powers of the sun. Sun give light to the Moon even at night, when there is darkness. Similarly, a Guru also lightens and brightens up his students’ life with his knowledge and helps them to reach heights.
On this day, the students thank the teachers for inculcating knowledge, values and good habits in them. In ancient India, parents used to send their children away with their Gurus so that they can live with them and gain knowledge about life.
Examples of the great and strong relationship of the Gurus and their students have can clearly be seen in epics like The Ramayana and The Mahabharata.
How Is Guru Purnima Celebrated?
Guru Purnima is celebrated by expressing our gratitude towards Gods who are also like our Gurus. People offer prayers and honour their Gurus in ashrams and monasteries. On this day, one should pledge to dedicate and lead their lives according to the principles and values directed by the Gurus. On this day, Lord Vishnu is also worshipped. A thousand names of Lord Vishnu, also known as Vishnu Sahatranam, is also recited on this day.
People usually fast on this day and avoid eating rice, salt, or other heavy food and non-vegetarian dishes. They also refrain from eating other food made from cereals. Only fruits and yogurt are consumed, and people break their fast in the evening after offering prayers to God. The temples give out Prasad and Charnamrita, which is made of fresh fruits and sweet curd. Several vegetarian delicacies are also made on this occasion, like Halwa, Khichdi, Puri, Choley etc., and sweets like Barfi, Gulab Jamun, Soan Papdi etc. People also sing hymns and kirtans.
Guru Purnima Celebration Around the World
Nepal- Guru Purnima in Nepal is known as Treenok Guha Purnima. It is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in the country. Students appreciate and honuor their teachers by offering various delicacies, garlands made of flowers and special hats called Topis, made with indigenous goods. Students also organize cultural programs to celebrate the day.
Guru Purnima Celebrations in India
Students bring gifts for their Gurus as a gesture of thanks. No matter which ever religion they belong to, they should take this opportunity to thank and honour their Guru. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions organize cultural events to celebrate this festival. They take the initiative to teach about the great and famous ancient scholars.
The main motive of this festival is to bless people, and students organize cultural programs and hold art competitions, recite poetry, and find other ways to acknowledge the contributions of their teachers. It is basically an Indian form of Teacher’s Day.
It is celebrated in an extravagant manner in Varanasi, where thousands of disciples gather to seek blessings from their Gurus.
Celebrations by the Buddhists
Buddhists observe The Eight Precepts, also known as the Uposatha. Vipassana meditators practise meditation under the guidance of their Gurus. Rainy season or Vassa also starts from this day. Vassa lasts for three lunar months, during which the monks stay in their temples and practice intense meditation.
When Is Guru Purnima Celebrated?
It is celebrated during Shukla Paksha, on Ashadha Purnima on a full moon day, generally from June to August. It will be held on 13th July in 2022.
Interesting Facts About Guru Purnima
- The Sanskrit word Guru is made up of two words “Gu’’ which stands for darkness, and “Ru”, which stands for a person who eliminates darkness.
- Guru Purnima is celebrated in India as well as Nepal and Bhutan.
- It falls on a fool moon day.
- It was started by Mahatma Gandhi to honour his Guru, Shrimad Rajchandra.
- In the Yogic tradition, Lord Shiva is worshipped on this day, as he is the Adi Guru.
- This day is also known as Vyasa Purnima because the sage Ved Vyasa, who wrote The Mahabharata, was born on this day.
- Acetics, sanyasis and wondering monks also celebrate this festival by offering prayers to their Gurus.
- Nepal celebrates Teacher’s Day on Guru Purnima.
- It is known as Treenok Guha Purnima in Nepal.
- Lord Mahavira made Indrabhuti Gautam, later known as Gautam Swami, his first disciple.
Guru Purnima is an important festival because it celebrates the teachers and the Gurus who impart knowledge to us and makes us a better human being. We should celebrate and acknowledge our Gurus for their selfless service throughout the years.
