Guru Purnima, celebrated in India, Bhutan, and Nepal, is a religious festival dedicated to offering the deepest gratitude to all academic and spiritual gurus. The word Guru originated from Sanskrit, where Gu means “ignorance” or “darkness”, and the ru means “dispeller”. In short, a guru is someone who can dispel darkness. According to Hinduism, gurus are believed to be one of the most important parts of anyone’s life. On Guru Purnima, the disciples offer respect to their gurus. Apart from its religious importance, the impact of Guru Purnima on Indian scholars and academics is imperative. Indian academics thank their present and past teachers on this day.

1. 3 JULY 2023
Guru Purnima

2. What is
Guru Purnima?
Guru Purnima is a Hindu and Buddhist
festival that honours and expresses
gratitude towards teachers and spiritual
gurus.
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3. When is it
Celebrated?
Guru Purnima is normally observed on
the day of the full moon (Purnima) in the
month of Ashadha, which corresponds
to June or July in the Hindu calendar.
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4. Guru Purnima commemorates the first sermon of
Lord Buddha, who delivered his teachings to his
five disciples at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. This event
is known as Dharmachakraparivartana Sutra or
the Turning of the Wheel of Dharma.
Guru Purnima in
Buddhism
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5. In Hinduism, Lord Shiva became the Adi Yogi by
imparting knowledge of Yoga and spiritual
wisdom to the Saptarishis, the seven celestial
sages on Guru Purnima.
It also marks the birth anniversary of Ved
Vyasa, the legendary sage who compiled the
Vedas and Mahabharat.
Guru Purnima in
Hinduism
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How is it
Celebrated?
People visit temples, ashrams, and
gurudwaras to pay their respects to
their gurus.
Many spiritual organizations and
ashrams organize discourses,
satsangs, and lectures on Guru
Purnima.

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How is it
Celebrated?
Schools and colleges arrange special
events to honour teachers and gurus.
Some individuals observe a fast (vrat)
on Guru Purnima as a sign of
devotion and spiritual discipline.

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