Gujarat to celebrate Guru Purnima on July 21

Gandhinagar: Guru Purnima will be celebrated with devotion in Gujarat on Sunday, July 21st. This day is observed on the full moon of the Hindu month of Ashadha. The celebration of Guru Purnima emphasizes the importance of knowledge, learning, and the Guru-Shishya (teacher-student) relationship in Hindu culture.

Guru Purnima is traditionally celebrated to honor Ved Vyas, who was born on this auspicious day. Ved Vyas is credited with the classification of the Vedas into four parts—Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda. His contributions also include the composition of the Mahabharata, eighteen Puranas, and the Brahmasutra, which are foundational texts in Hindu philosophy and culture. Due to his extensive knowledge and contributions, Ved Vyas is considered the Adi Guru, or the first teacher, and Guru Purnima is observed in his honor.

On Guru Purnima, devotees honor their gurus through several key rituals: performing Guru Puja with flowers and fruits, observing Paduka Puja (worship of the guru’s sandals), participating in Satsangs for spiritual guidance, and engaging in Seva (service) at ashrams, mandirs, or in the community. This year, the best time for Guru Puja is from 7:52 AM to 11:18 AM.

In Hindu philosophy, the guru is seen as a guiding light who dispels the darkness of ignorance and leads the disciple towards the path of enlightenment. The guru-disciple relationship is considered sacred, embodying the principles of humility, respect, and devotion. As the Sanskrit shloka articulates, “गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः। गुरुः साक्षात् परं ब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः॥”, the Guru embodies the divine trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, symbolizing creation, preservation, and destruction. This highlights the guru’s all-encompassing role in guiding and shaping the spiritual lives of their disciples.

In contemporary times, schools, universities, and institutions also acknowledge this day by honoring teachers and mentors. Students participate in various activities to show their respect for their teachers. Many institutions hold cultural programs, including music, dance, and drama, to celebrate the role of educators. DeshGujarat