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Guru Purnima is a festival dedicated to honoring gurus, who can be spiritual or intellectual guides. From the beginning of a person’s life, gurus play a vital and influential role.
Whether a person succeeds or fails often depends on the kind of guidance the guru provides.
These gurus are not only formal educators but can be anyone who imparts wisdom.
“Guru Purnima is the day to express respect and gratitude towards those who guide us towards a successful life,” says cultural expert and professor Madhav Prasad Bhattarai.
When is Guru Purnima Celebrated?
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Primarily, followers of Hinduism observe Guru Purnima on the full moon day of the Ashwin month (Ashwin Shukla Purnima).
Influenced by Hindu culture, other religious communities in Nepal also observe this festival.
This year, Guru Purnima falls on a Monday and is being celebrated with enthusiasm across Nepal, India, and other countries with Hindu populations.
The Most Appropriate Day to Honor Gurus
According to mythology, Guru Purnima is also considered the birth anniversary of Veda Vyasa, the sage who classified the ancient Vedas.
Some scholars maintain that the festival was primarily established to honor Vyasa, also called Vyasa Purnima.
Certain Hindu scriptures mark this day as when Maharishi Veda Vyasa composed the four Vedas, hence his name Vyasa.
The role of gurus has been significant in Nepal since ancient times.
Especially in Eastern civilizations, gurus have traditionally been accorded great respect and status.
This tradition continues even in the modern era.
Another mythological belief states that Lord Shiva began teaching yoga to seven sages on Guru Purnima.
Buddhists also observe Guru Purnima in memory of Gautama Buddha.
According to their belief, Buddha delivered his first sermon on this day.
Contemporary Guru Purnima Celebrations
Nowadays, Guru Purnima is celebrated widely in modern educational institutions as well.
On this occasion, students organize programs to praise and honor their gurus and often present gifts.
“Modern celebrations of Guru Purnima show some positive initiatives, but the respect between guru and disciple isn’t as profound as before,” says Bhattarai.
“Today, society views many things financially, which has significantly altered the traditional cultural guru-disciple relationship found in Eastern civilizations.”
According to Hindu tradition, it is customary to offer ‘Guru Dakshina’ or gifts to the guru who has taught the Gayatri Mantra.
If one is unable to meet their guru personally, they may remember them through various means and offer Guru Dakshina later.
