Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Guru Purnima:
Guru Purnima is a Hindu festival that honors and expresses gratitude to one's spiritual and academic teachers. It is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June-July). The word "Guru" refers to a spiritual guide or teacher, and "Purnima" signifies the full moon day.
The festival holds significance in various traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Devotees express their reverence and gratitude to their gurus or teachers on this day. It is a time for students to acknowledge the guidance, wisdom, and teachings imparted by their mentors.
Key aspects of Guru Purnima celebration include:
1. Worship and Offerings: Devotees visit temples or ashrams to worship their gurus. Offerings such as flowers, fruits, and other symbolic items are made as a gesture of respect.
2. Spiritual Discourses: Many spiritual leaders and gurus deliver discourses or teachings on this day. Followers gather to listen to these discourses, which often focus on the significance of the guru-disciple relationship and the path of spiritual enlightenment.
3. Rituals and Pujas: Special rituals and pujas (ceremonial worship) are performed in honor of gurus. This may include the recitation of sacred texts, prayers, and other rituals.
4. Dakshina (Offering): Traditionally, disciples express their gratitude by offering dakshina, which is a token of appreciation or a gift to their gurus. This can be symbolic, and the emphasis is on the sentiment behind the offering.
5. Cultural Programs: In some places, cultural programs, music, and dance performances are organized to celebrate the occasion.
The festival is not only observed in India but also by Hindus and Buddhists around the world. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and the renewal of the spiritual journey under the guidance of a teacher. The specific customs and traditions associated with Guru Purnima may vary across different regions and communities.