Guru Purnima 2020 Date & Muhurat : 5 July 2020
Guru Purnima or Gyan Purnima is an auspicious festival that is celebrated on the Purnima (bright lunar fortnight) of the month of Ashadha (June-July) according to the Hindu Lunar Calendar. Also known as Vyasa Purnima, it is observed as a commemoration of one’s Gurus (teachers) for their guidance and counsel. The festival is celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and even Sikhs throughout the world. This year in 2020, Guru Purnima shall fall on the 5th day of July.
Why Guru Purnima is celebrated
The festive day of Guru Purnima has a vivid history. In Hindu culture, this day marks the birth anniversary of the great sage Ved Vyasa, who was the one to separate the original Veda into four distinct Vedas, and who was also the author of the great Hindu mythological epic, Mahabharata. Buddhists celebrate Guru Purnima as an honourable remembrance of Lord Buddha, who gave his first sermon on this day.
The Jains celebrate the festival as Treenok Guha Purnima, marking the day when Lord Mahavira made his first disciple. In ancient times, Guru Purnima was celebrated for displaying gratitude towards the Gurus (enlightened beings) for sharing their innate knowledge and wisdom with their Shishyas (disciples). The shishyas offered prayers and worshipped their Guru, while the Guru promised to guide his shishyas through the finesse of life.
The festival became popular again after it was revived by Mahatma Gandhi in the 1940s in honour of his spiritual guru Shrimad Rajchandra. Ever since, the festival is being celebrated every year with all fervour and elation.
Guru Purnima Rituals, festivities and Pooja
People shall pay tribute to their teachers, mentors and guides and rever them for enlightening their lives with their wisdom and guidance. Hindus generally follow a vegetarian diet on this day, and many people conduct fasting. Prasadas are offered by temples. Mantras and shlokas are recited as a token of respect and admiration to one’s teachers. In educational institutions such as schools and colleges, cultural events like music and dance performances, plays, etc. are organised as a way of showing appreciation for the dedication of the teachers.
