Guru Purnima 2024: Date, Muhurat, History and Significance

Guru Purnima is a significant festival in Hinduism, celebrated to honour and show gratitude towards the guru, a revered teacher and guide. In Hindu tradition, the guru’s place is esteemed even above God and parents, as the guru is seen as the one who illuminates the path of life, teaching right from wrong.

Understanding the Significance of Guru Purnima

In Hindu dharma, every festival and ritual holds special importance, and Guru Purnima is no exception. It is a day dedicated to paying tribute to the guru of one’s life. This festival is observed on the full moon day in the month of Ashada, which usually falls in July or August.

Expressions of Gratitude

On Guru Purnima, devotees express their appreciation and honour their gurus, who are seen as beacons that illuminate their paths and guide them towards enlightenment. A guru is often a teacher or mentor who imparts knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual guidance to their followers.

Guru Purnima 2024: Date and Auspicious Time Muhurat

The date and time for Guru Purnima in 2024 are as follows:

• Date: Sunday, 21 July 2024
• Purnima Tithi Begins: On 20 July 2024, at 05:59 PM
• Purnima Tithi Ends: On 21 July 2024, at 03:46 PM

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Celebration and Rituals

Guru Purnima is a festival marked by great enthusiasm and reverence. Various rituals and processes are performed by devotees, including offering prayers to their gurus to show gratitude. Students of all ages and cultures honour their teachers by giving gifts and seeking their blessings as a form of tribute.

Cultural Significance

Along with traditional ceremonies, Guru Purnima serves as a venue for cultural events and get-togethers where people can celebrate and share stories with their gurus. This day also heralds the start of India’s monsoon season, bringing fresh hope and renewal after the oppressive summer heat.

Historical Background

Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima, named after Ved Vyasa, one of the most revered gurus in ancient India. According to tradition, Ved Vyasa, who wrote the Mahabharata and other significant texts, was born on this day.

Mythological Tales

Several tales mark the significance of Guru Purnima. In Hindu mythology, it is believed that on this day, Shiva, the first yogi, became the Adi Guru, the first guru, and imparted wisdom to the Saptrishis after they performed sadhana for 84 years.

Gautam Buddha and Guru Purnima

For Buddhists, Guru Purnima holds special significance as it is believed that Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment on this day and delivered his first sermon at Sarnath. This day is sometimes referred to as Buddha Purnima.

Jain Tradition

In Jainism, it is believed that on this day, Indrabhuti Gautam became the first disciple of Lord Mahavira, marking the day as Treenok Guha Purnima.

Celebration Across Religions

Guru Purnima is celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains across India, Nepal, and Bhutan. It is a day to honour all academic and spiritual gurus who have imparted their knowledge and guidance.

Puja Vidhi for Guru Purnima

Performing the right puja vidhi on Guru Purnima is essential. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Morning Rituals: Begin the day with a bath and perform your daily puja.
2. Offerings: Place flowers and a fragrant garland on Vyasa Ji’s image and seek blessings from your guru.
3. Gifts: Present your guru with a garland, clothing, food, flowers, and Dakshina (cash).
4. Fasting: Many devotees observe a fast, engage in yogic sadhana, and meditate.
5. Vishnu Worship: Recite the Vishnu Sahatranama, the thousand names of Lord Vishnu, and focus your energy.

Benefits of Performing Guru Purnima Puja

Fasting and performing puja on this blessed day provide several spiritual advantages:

• Purification: Fasting helps in purifying the mind and body, fostering calmness and clarity.
• Enhanced Spiritual Practices: Fasting intensifies meditation, prayer, and chanting, leading to better concentration.
• Connection with Higher Self: Fasting aids in connecting with one’s higher self and developing spiritual awareness.
• Self-Control: Developing self-control through fasting aligns one with spiritual goals.
• Gratitude: Fasting is a way to show gratitude to one’s guru, acknowledging their impact on spiritual growth.

Conclusion

Guru Purnima 2024 holds immense significance, and it should be celebrated with pure devotion and faith. On this day, students express gratitude towards their teachers, elders, and parents. Chanting the guru mantra during the puja and seeking the blessings of gurus helps in removing mental obstacles and promoting welfare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the Guru Purnima festival?

A: Guru Purnima is a festival dedicated to honouring the gurus in one’s life, and celebrating their wisdom and guidance. It is also known as Vyasa Purnima.

Q2. When is Guru Purnima celebrated in 2024?

A: Guru Purnima 2024 will be celebrated on Sunday, 21 July 2024.

Q3. What are the tithi timings for Guru Purnima 2024?

A: The Purnima Tithi begins on 20 July 2024 at 05:59 PM and ends on 21 July 2024 at 03:46 PM.

Q4. Who was Ved Vyasa?

A: Ved Vyasa is a revered guru in Hinduism, known for writing the Mahabharata and other significant texts. Guru Purnima is celebrated in his honour.

Q5. Why is fasting important for Guru Purnima?

A: Fasting on Guru Purnima has spiritual benefits, including purification of the mind and body, enhanced spiritual practices, and showing gratitude to one’s guru.

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