Guru Purnima गुरुपूर्णिमा

This revered festival is celebrated to express gratitude to teachers (gurus), mentors, parents, professors, coaches, and guides for their role in imparting wisdom and knowledge. This is the day to recognize the many teachers who have enlightened you in some way or other. True knowledge transforms lives; may we all have worthy guides on this meaningful journey.

The festival falls on the full moon day (purnima) of the Ashadha month in the Hindu lunar calendar (June-July) and is considered a sacred occasion to acknowledge teachers, those illuminating the path of knowledge and self-realization. The full moon symbolizes completed knowledge. As the moon receives all the sun’s light and reflects it back, the teacher also receives the light of the Vedas from his guru and reflects this back to the student. Thus the festival of teaching takes the symbol of the perfectly-full moon. The word "Guru" comes from Sanskrit, root ‘Gu’ for darkness or ignorance and ‘Ru’ meaning the remover of darkness. Therefore a Guru is one who removes ignorance and guides one toward completed knowledge, wisdom, and self-realization.

Guru Purnima also traditionally honors the guru-tattva, or the universal principle of teaching itself, and serves as an opportunity to acknowledge that learning prospers when humility, respect, and lifelong guidance are present in one’s life. Devotees observe this day by meditation, donations, expressing gratitude, worship and prayer.

Society is only as good as its teachers and its corresponding support and honor of our teachers themselves. Guru Purnima imbeds this value amongst us by officially celebrating the transformative role of teachers in shaping our ethical, intellectual, and spiritual lives. The religious festival also emphasizes the eternal principle that true wisdom is transmitted through great souls or enlightened teachers who reveal the path to us when received through humility, dedication, and disciplined practice.