Fascinating Details on the Special Guru Purnima Religious Festivals

 

Fascinating Details on the Special Guru Purnima Religious Festivals

Guru Purnima Festivals

 

Spiritual nourishment and teaching is a lifetime commitment. Gurus/teachers strive to offer teaching and perform rituals to ensure all devotees are served. They don't mind complex rituals or long festivals which consume their time and energy.  With the obligation, Gurus deserve special recognition which honors their work to devotees.

Guru Purnima is an exclusive and incredible religious festival designed to honor all spiritual and academic Gurus across India. The special festival is celebrated by the Jains, Buddhists and Hindus. It’s a remarkable way to recognize the great spiritual work.

Guru Purnima season/Time

Guru Purnima festival is an annual festival that comes during full moon day (Purnima). The festivals fall in the month of June-July (Ashadha) which aligns with the Hindu calendar. The 2024 Guru Purnima will be celebrated on 21^st July 2024. (Here are past and present Guru Purnima festival days)

 

The festival is a national day in India but not a public holiday in other locations.

 

2024 Purnima Tithi time 

 

History of Guru Purnima and meaning

 

The word Guru is pretty famous and marks as a spiritual teacher. However, Guru is a Sanskrit word meaning:

·         Gu: darkness

·         Ru: ignorance or dispeller

Gurus are the dispeller of darkness or evil. They are great people in the community and hold spiritual significance.  Guru Purnima festivals were established by Mahatma Gandhi who loved and honored his Guru Shrimad Rajchandra.

The celebrations are also referred to as Vyasa Purnima which is the birth date of Sage Veda Vyasa.  The sage is the author of the Mahabharata and Vedas.

Special observances during Guru Purnima festivals

Guru Purnima 

Multiple religious activities take place to honor Guru Purnima celebrations. Various rituals such as Guru Puja are taken for the Gurus.  The Puja is conducted by the disciples with respect to their Guru/Teacher.

Flowers and special offerings are also given to the Gurus making the day beautiful and memorable. A Prasad and Charnamritra are made as the nectar to wash the feet of Treenok. The Prasad is a blessing from the Guru/teacher/Guha to his devotees.  Pilgrims receive blessings, knowledge, and wisdom during the festivals.

Devotees sing hymns, bhajans and also recite Artis. They read the 216 Gita verses by Vyasa and worship Lord Vishnu by reciting Vishnu Sahatranam.   It's believed that worship helps pilgrims receive a good life and bless their families.

All disciples meditate and recite different mantras such as "Guru Brahma, Vishnu guru devo maheshwara, and Guru Sakshat Parabrahma Tasmai Shree Gurave Namah."

However, academically Guru Purnima festivals also hold great importance. Students around India honor their present and past teachers during Guru Purnima Day.

Buddhist Guru Purnima

Since Guru Purnima is an official festival for Buddhists, Jains, and Hindus, the Buddhist community celebrates the festivals to respect the Buddha. Yogic traditions hold the festivals in the belief that Shiva being the first Guru. They believe he became Guru during the transition of Yoga to Saptarishis.

Traditionally Vyasa was the primary Guru who wrote Brahma Sutras. Devotees use the recitations on Guru Purnima day. All teachers/gurus are important and preserve greatness in all spiritual aspects of life.

Buddhists celebrate Guru Purnima based on Uposatha which are the eight teachings of Buddha. Here Buddhist monks meditate and conduct various ascetic practices.

Jain believers

The Jain devotees also mark and celebrate Guru Purnima festivals. Jain believers honor the renowned Mahavira (Tirthankara). There are many other Gurus in the Jainism community who are honored during the Guru Purnima.

Nepal Guru Purnima festivals

 Nepal citizens who believe in Guru Purnima also celebrate their teachers in various ways. The act is extended to school teachers who receive Topi's hats and garlands. During the festivals, nice delicious foods are made and enjoyed by everyone.

Fasting on Guru Purnima

Though it’s a joyous day some devotees opt to fast to receive knowledge and discerning ability. Pilgrims who observe Vrat shouldn’t eat the following foods:

• ·         Any salt
• ·         Grains
• ·         Non-veg foods

They are only allowed to take Vrat favorable foods, fruits, and milk. The Vrat foods are Sabudana Khichdi, Halwa, and sweets. To break the fast devotees take Puja in the evening and have their dinner. Here they receive Prasada and Charnamrita is given with additives of fruits and sweet curd. The special ceremony is concluded with great jubilation for all pilgrims and Gurus.

FAQs

1.      When is Guru Purnima celebrated?

The festivals are celebrated during the full moon which is referred to as Purnima. The full moon month is called Ashadha in the official Hindu calendar.

2.      When will Guru Purnima be held in 2024?

The festival falls in the month of July 21^st, 2024 (Sunday).