Guru Purnima 2018: Date, Significance and Celebrations
Guru Purnima is also celebrated as Vyasa Purnima in some parts of the country.
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Guru Purnima is celebrated every year on full moon day of the Shakha Samavat, according to the Hindu calendar. This year the festival will be celebrated on Friday, 27 July.
On Guru Purnima, people express their gratitude towards their teachers and seek their blessings. Interestingly, in Nepal the festival is celebrated as Teacher’s Day as a mark of reverence to teachers who lead their pupils on the path of enlightenment.
This year Guru Purnima falls on the day of 21st century’s longest lunar eclipse, which will be visible in all of India. The eclipse will last for 1 hour and 43 minutes, giving viewers a wonderful opportunity to experience the happening all across the country.
Guru Purnima Timings
According to DrikPanchang,
Purnima Tithi begins at 23:16 on 26 July.
Purnima Tithi ends at 01:50 on 28 July.
Legend of Guru Purnima
As per the legend, Guru Purnima is celebrated to commemorate the first sermon of Lord Buddha, after attainment of enlightenment, to his disciples. It was a full moon day hence, Guru Purnima is celebrated every year on the same day.
As per some yogic traditions, Lord Shiva became Adi Guru on Guru Purnima, transmitting knowledge of yoga to saptarishis on this day.
Guru Purnima, in some parts, is also celebrated as Vyasa Purnima – a celebration of the birth anniversary of Ved Vyasa who is the key architect of the Mahabharata.
How is Guru Purnima Celebrated?
Guru Purnima is celebrated with much fanfare in India, Nepal and other countries with Buddhist influence every year.
People pay homage to their gurus (teachers) on this day. Some people even observe fast on this day.
Some ashrams and monasteries even hold prayer recitals by students to honour their teachers (gurus).
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