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{{Short description|Hindu festival honouring the Guru}}
{{more citations needed|date= April 2015}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Guru Purnima
| image =
| caption =
| type = international, religious, cultural
| official_name = Guru Purnima
| observedby = [[Hindu]],[[Sikhs]] devotees & [[Buddhist]] disciples in [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[Europe]], [[Tibet]], [[Bhutan]], [[Kenya]], [[India]], [[Nepal]] and other parts of the world.
| begins =
| ends =
| date = {{Hindu festival date}}
| date2019 = July 16, Tuesday
| date2020 =
| date2021 =
| celebrations = Worship of Guru and temple visit<ref>{{Cite web|title=Guru Purnima 2020: Know Why We Celebrate Guru Purnima|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/guru-purnima-2020-know-why-we-celebrate-guru-purnima-2254219|access-date=2020-07-03|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>
| significance = To express gratitude towards spiritual teachers<ref>{{Cite news|title=Guru Purnima India: Date, Story, Quotes, Importance, Special Messages | work=SA News|url=https://news.jagatgururampalji.org/guru-purnima-date-story-significance-quotes |access-date=23 July 2021}}</ref>
| observances = ''Guru Puja''
| frequency = annual
| date2023 = 3 July (Monday)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/india/guru-purnima|title = Guru Purnima in India}}</ref>
| date2024 = 21 July (Sunday)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.drikpanchang.com/festivals/guru-purnima/guru-purnima-date-time.html?year=2024|title = 2024 Guru Purnima}}</ref>
| date2025 = 10 July (Thursday)
}}
{{Hindu festival date info}}
'''Guru Purnima''' ({{Langx|sa|गुरुपूर्णिमा|translit=Gurupūrṇimā}}) is a religious festival dedicated to offering respect to spiritual and academic [[guru]]s.<ref name=":2" /> It is celebrated as a festival in [[India]], [[Nepal]] and [[Bhutan]] by [[Hindus]], [[Sikhism|Sikhs]] and [[Buddhism|Buddhists]]. It is observed on the [[full moon]] day (''[[Purnima]]'') in the month of ''[[Ashadha]]'' (June–July) according to the [[Hindu calendar]].<ref>गुरू पूर्णिमा - Guru Purnima: https://www.bhaktibharat.com/festival/guru-purnima</ref><ref name="Sanatan">Article [http://www.sanatan.org/en/a/28_Guru poornima.html "Guru Poornima (Vyas Puja)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124024622/https://www.sanatan.org/en/a/28_gurupurnima.html |date=24 January 2020 }} As on 22 July 2013 on www.Sanatan.org</ref><ref name="Weber2004">{{cite book|author=Thomas Weber|title=Gandhi as Disciple and Mentor|url=https://archive.org/details/gandhiasdisciple0000webe|url-access=registration|date=2 December 2004|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-139-45657-9|pages=[https://archive.org/details/gandhiasdisciple0000webe/page/34 34]–36}}</ref> It is also known as Vyasa Purnima, because it marks the birthday of [[Vyasa|Veda Vyasa]], the author of the [[Mahabharata]] and compiler of the [[Vedas]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/guru-purnima-2019-know-the-date-time-and-significance-of-vyasa-purnima-2229087.html|title=Guru Purnima 2019: Date, Time and Significance of Vyasa Purnima|website=News18|date=16 July 2019|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The word guru is derived from the [[Sanskrit]] root words ''gu'' and ''ru''. G''u'' means "darkness" or "ignorance", and ''ru'' means "dispeller."<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Mlecko |first=Joel D. |date=1982 |title=The Guru in Hindu Tradition |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3269931 |journal=Numen |volume=29 |issue=1 |pages=33–61 |doi=10.2307/3269931 |issn=0029-5973 |jstor=3269931|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Grimes |first=John A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qcoUFYOX0bEC&pg=PA133#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy: Sanskrit Terms Defined in English |date=1996-01-01 |publisher=SUNY Press |isbn=978-0-7914-3067-5 |pages=133 |language=en}}</ref> Therefore, a guru is the dispeller of darkness or ignorance.<ref name=":1" />

==Observances==

=== Hinduism ===
The celebration of Guru Purnima is marked by spiritual activities and may include ''Guru puja'', a ritual held in honour of the [[guru]] or teacher.In addition to having religious importance, this festival has great importance for Indian academics and [[scholar]]s. Indian academics celebrate this day by thanking their teachers as well as remembering past teachers and scholars.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 11, 2019|first=Ritu|last=Shukla|title=Guru Purnima - Significance of Guru Purnima|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/astrology/rituals-puja/guru-or-vyasa-purnima-12-07-2014/articleshow/68207111.cms|access-date=2020-07-03|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> Hindu Gurus are revered on this day by remembering their life and teachings. The festivities are usually followed by a feast for the disciples, ''[[shishya]]'', where the ''[[prasada]]'' and ''charnamrita'' (nectar of the feet), the symbolic wash of Guru's feet, which represents his [[Kripa (philosophy)|''kripa'']] (grace) is distributed.<ref name="ed">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9XC9bwMMPcwC&q=%22Guru+Purnima%22+-inpublisher%3Aicon&pg=RA1-PA230 |title=What Is Hinduism?: Modern Adventures Into a Profound Global Faith |publisher=Himalayan Academy Publications |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-934145-00-5 |page=230}}</ref>
Special recitations of the [[Hindu scriptures]] like the ''Guru Gita'' are held all day. Apart from the singing of ''[[bhajan]]s'', hymns and of special ''[[kirtan]]'' session and ''[[havan]]'' at many places, where devotees from all over gather at the ''[[ashram]]s'', ''[[matha]]'' or place where the seat of Guru, ''Guru Gaddi'' exists.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sharma |first=Vijay Prakash |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=krBPtA-3_8UC&q=%22Guru+Purnima%22+-inpublisher%3Aicon&pg=PA160 |title=The sadhus and Indian civilisation |publisher=Anmol Publications |year=1998 |isbn=81-261-0108-3 |page=160}}</ref> This day also sees the ritual of ''padapuja'', the worships of Guru's sandals, which represent his holy feet and is seen a way of rededicating to all that a Guru stands for.<ref>{{cite book |last=Subramuniyaswami |first=Satguru Sivaya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EWlHPAkjBKUC&q=%22Guru+Purnima%22+-inpublisher%3Aicon&pg=PA780 |title=Dancing With Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Catechism Volume 1 |publisher=Himalayan Academy Publications |year=2003 |isbn=0-945497-96-2 |page=780}}</ref> Disciples also recommit themselves on this day, to following their teacher's guidance and teachings, for the coming year.<ref name="ed" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Jha |first=Makhan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0i94Z5C8HMC&q=%22Guru+Purnima%22+-inpublisher%3Aicon&pg=PA95 |title=Anthropology of ancient Hindu kingdoms: a study in civilizational perspective |publisher=M.D. Publications |year=1997 |isbn=81-7533-034-1 |page=95}}</ref> In the Vedic Hindu tradition, the day is celebrated in honour of the sage [[Vyasa]], who is seen as one of the greatest gurus in ancient Hindu traditions and a symbol of the [[guru-shishya tradition|''guru-shishya'' tradition]]. Their recitations are a dedication to him and are organised on this day, which is also known as ''Vyasa Purnima''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sharma |first=Brijendra Nath |title=Festivals of India |publisher=Abhina Publications |year=1978 |page=88}}</ref> ''[[Vyasa]] [[Puja (Hinduism)|Puja]]'' is held at various temples, where floral offerings and symbolic gifts are given away in his honour.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sehgal |first=Sunil |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zWG64bgtf3sC&q=Chaturmas&pg=PA495 |title=Encyclopaedia of Hinduism: (H - Q)., Volume 3 |publisher=Sarup & Sons |year=1999 |isbn=9788176250641 |series=8176250643 |page=496}}</ref>
Hindu [[ascetics]] and wandering [[sanyasi|''sanyasis'']] observe this day by offering ''puja'' to their guru, during ''[[Chaturmas]]ya'', a four-month period during the rainy season, when they choose seclusion and stay at one chosen place; some also give discourses to the local public.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wadley |first=Susan Snow |author-link=Susan Snow Wadley |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XuyTqD0Ybw4C&q=%22Guru+Purnima%22+-inpublisher%3Aicon&pg=PA64 |title=Essays on North Indian folk traditions |publisher=Orient Blackswan |year=2005 |isbn=81-8028-016-0 |page=64}}</ref>
=== Buddhism ===
The festival is celebrated by Buddhists in honour of the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]], who gave his first sermon on this day at [[Sarnath]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]]. In the yogic tradition, the day is celebrated as the occasion when [[Shiva]] became the first guru, as he began the transmission of [[Yoga]] to the [[Saptarishi]]s.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ishafoundation.org/Isha-Celebrations/Guru-poornima.isa | title=The Significance of Guru Purnima | publisher=Isha Foundation | access-date=July 9, 2014}}</ref> Buddhists observe [[uposatha]], i.e., to observe [[eight precepts]] on this day. [[Rainy season]] [[vassa]] also starts on this day, lasting for three lunar months, from July to October. During this time, Buddhist monks remain in a single place, generally in their temples. In some monasteries, monks dedicate the Vassa to intensive meditation. During Vassa, many Buddhist lay people reinvigorate their spiritual training and adopt more ascetic practices, such as giving up meat, alcohol, or smoking.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

=== Nepal ===
In [[Nepal]], Guru Purnima is a big day in schools. This day is [[List of Teachers' Days|teacher's day]] in Nepal. Students honour their teachers by offering delicacies, garlands, and special hats called ''[[Dhaka topi|topi]]'' made with indigenous fabric. Students often organize fanfares in schools to appreciate the hard work done by teachers. This is taken as a great opportunity to consolidate the bond of teacher-student relationships.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guru Purnima being observed today |url=https://kathmandupost.com/miscellaneous/2016/07/19/guru-purnima-being-observed-today-20160719123003 |access-date=2020-07-04 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=en}}</ref>[[File:chaturmas.jpg|thumb|A [[sanyasi]] performing ''Vyasa puja'' traditionally held on Guru Purnima day, as a part of chaturmasya rituals]]
==Significance==

=== Hindu ===
This was the day when [[Vyasa]] – author of the [[Mahabharata]] – was born to sage [[Parashara]] and a fisherman's daughter [[Satyavati]]; thus, this day is also celebrated as ''Vyasa Purnima''.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Lochtefeld |first=James G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AbWazgEACAAJ |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M |date=2002 |publisher=Rosen |isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8 |pages=267 |language=en}}</ref> [[Veda Vyasa]] did yeoman service to the cause of [[Vedic period|Vedic]] studies by gathering all the [[Vedas|Vedic hymns]] extant during his times and dividing them into four parts based on their characteristics and use in rites. He then taught them to his four chief disciples – Paila, [[Vaisampayana]], [[Jaimini]] and Sumantu. It was this dividing and editing that earned him the [[honorific]] "Vyasa" (vyas = to edit, to divide). He divided the Vedas into four parts, namely, [[Rigveda|Rig]], [[Yajurveda|Yajur]], [[Samaveda|Sama]] and [[Atharvaveda|Atharva]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-30|title=Guru Purnima 2020: Date, time, history and significance of 'Vyasa Purnima'|url=https://www.thedailyjagran.com/lifestyle/guru-purnima-2020-date-time-history-and-significance-of-vyasa-purnima-10013375|access-date=2020-07-04|website=Jagran English}}</ref>

=== Buddhism ===
[[Gautama Buddha]] went from [[Bodhgaya]] to [[Sarnath]] about 5 weeks after his enlightenment. Before he attained enlightenment, he gave up his austere penances. His former comrades, the pañcavargika, left him and went to Ṛṣipatana in [[Sarnath]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why do Buddhists celebrate Guru Purnima?|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/cmcm/why-do-buddhists-celebrate-guru-purnima|access-date=2020-06-30|website=Free Press Journal|language=en}}</ref> After attaining Enlightenment, the [[Buddha]] left Uruvilvā and travelled to the Ṛṣipatana to join and teach them. He went to them because, using his spiritual powers, he had seen that his five former companions would be able to understand Dharma quickly. While travelling to Sarnath, Gautama Buddha had to cross the [[Ganges]]. When King [[Bimbisara]] heard of this, he abolished the toll for ascetics.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-07-16|title=Guru Purnima 2019: History, Importance, Significance of Guru Purnima|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/guru-purnima-2019-history-importance-significance-guru-purnima-5828002/|access-date=2020-07-04|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> When Gautama Buddha found his five former companions, he taught them the [[Dharmacakrapravartana Sūtra]]. They understood and also became enlightened. This marked the establishment of the mendicant [[Sangha]], on the full-moon day of [[Asadha]]. The Buddha subsequently spent his first [[vassa|rainy season]] at Sarnath at the Mulagandhakuti.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-04|title=Guru Purnima 2020: Know the Date, Time and Significance of the Event Celebrated By 3 Faiths|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/guru-purnima-2020-know-the-date-time-and-significance-of-the-event-celebrated-by-3-faiths-2700651.html|access-date=2020-07-05|website=News18}}</ref> The [[bhikshu]] sangha soon grew to 60 members; then, Buddha sent them out in all directions to travel alone and teach [[Dharma]].

=== Jainism ===
According to [[Jain]] traditions, special veneration is offered to one's gurus and teachers on Guru Purnima.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eW3uZIZzJWEC|title=Religion & culture of the Jains |publisher=Bhartiya Jnanpith |year=2006 |isbn=81-263-1274-2}}</ref> The day falls at the beginning of ''Chaturmasya''. On this day, [[Mahavira]], after attaining ''[[kaivalya]]'', made [[Gautam Swami|Gautama Swami]] his first disciple (''[[ganadhara]]'') thus becoming a Guru himself.

==See also==
* [[Guru]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

<br />{{HinduFestivals}}

[[Category:Hindu holy days]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:Buddhist festivals]]
[[Category:Festivals in India]]
[[Category:Buddhist festivals in Nepal]]
[[Category:June observances]]
[[Category:July observances]]
[[Category:Observances held on the full moon]]
[[Category:Observances held on Purnima]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in India]]
[[Category:Buddhist festivals in India]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals in Nepal]]
[[Category:Spiritual teachers]]

Guru Purnima - Revision history

83.250.48.251 at 04:24, 5 February 2026