Today, Guru Purnima is being celebrating by showing respect to the Guru

KATHMANDU: JULY 24 – Guru Purnima is a tradition dedicated to all the spiritual and academic Gurus, who are evolved or enlightened humans, ready to share their wisdom with no monetary expectation, based on Karma Yoga. It is celebrated as a festival in India, Nepal and Bhutan by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists. This festival is traditionally observed to honour one’s chosen spiritual teachers or leaders. It is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadh (June–July) as it is known in the Hindu calendar.

The word Guru is derived from two words, gu and ru. The Sanskrit root gu means darkness or ignorance, and ru denotes the remover of that darkness. Therefore, a Guru is one who removes the darkness of our ignorance. Such a guru is considered by our scriptures in the form of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. That is why it is said in various texts.

Like the parents, the Guru has also considered a deity and is called ‘Acharya Devo Bhava.

On the occasion of Guru Purnima, most Students honour their teachers by offering delicacies, garlands, and special hats called 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.

Vyas Jayanti

Today, the Vedas are divided into four parts, the Rig Veda, the Yajurveda, the Sama Veda and the Atharva Veda. As Veda Vyas was born on the full moon day of Ashadh Shukla, Vyas Jayanti is celebrated on this day.

This year, the corona with new variants is still at risk of celebrating Guru Purnima and Vyas Jayanti, while maintaining physical distance and adopting health safety standards. It is said that some schools and institutions are celebrating Guru Purnima and Vyas Jayanti through zoom technology.