When Is Guru Purnima 2023? Date, Time, History, Significance And Celebrations

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Guru Purnima is a very significant day for teachers and students alike. Gurus have always been seen as someone who is like an anchor in the journey of life. They are the ones who enlighten us with knowledge.

In Sanskrit, the term 'Guru' means the one who removes darkness. It is celebrated on the full moon date of the Hindu month of Ashada. On this day, the Guru (teacher or mentor) is worshipped and this day is celebrated with full enthusiasm.

When Is Guru Purnima 2023? Date, Time

Guru Purnima is the birth anniversary of the great sage Ved Vyasa and it is also known as Vyasa Purnima. This year it will be observed on Monday, 3 July 2023 and Purnima Tithi will begin at 08:21 pm on 02 July 2023 and Purnima Tithi will end at 05:08 pm on 03 July 2023.

Guru Purnima 2023: Rituals, Worship Method

According to Panchang, for Guru Puja or Vyasa puja, Purnima Tithi must prevail through the first 3 muhurats after sunrise. If Purnima is less than the 3 muhurats after sunrise, celebrations will take place on the previous day.

On this day, one needs to wake up early in the morning and perform the daily routine tasks like bathing, puja, etc. Then one must wear new clothes and offer flowers and garlands in the image of Maharishi Ved Vyasa or Krishna Dvaipayana and then visit their own guru. Before putting the garland on your Guru(s), make sure you make them sit on a chair and then take their blessings. After that, you can offer clothes, flowers, fruits, and Dakshina in the form of donation.

Guru Purnima 2023: History And Significance

There is a belief that Maharshi Veda Vyasa was born on the Ashadha Purnima and he was an ancient author of ancient religious texts like Brahma Sutra, Mahabharata, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, and 18 Puranas.

He was the son of Rishi Parashara. According to the Hindu Shastras, Veda Vyas was aware of all the Kaals (times - past, present, future). It is through his divine eyes, he predicted that people will lose interest in the religion in the future, fewer people will believe in God, also they will try to avoid responsibilities and the mortality rate will increase.

For better understanding, Vedas were divided into 4 parts by Ved Vyasa and he named them Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda. He imparted this knowledge to his 4 students- Vaishampayana, Sumantumuni, Pail, and Jaimin.

As this knowledge was quite mysterious and difficult, he created Puranas as the fifth Veda. In these Puranas, he explained the knowledge of Vedas as interesting stories. He gave the knowledge of Puranas to his student Roma Harshan. Students of Vyasa Ji further divided these Vedas into many branches and sub-branches, as per their knowledge.
Maharshi Vyas is considered the ancient Guru in India and therefore, he is worshipped before, students worship their teachers.

Guru Purnima holds immense significance because on this day elders of the family, parents and siblings are also worshipped because they also have played the role of teachers at some point in one's life. With the blessings, one can get rid of all the obstacles related to knowledge and are able to increase the horizon of their knowledge.

Guru Purnima 2023: Celebrations

Today, followers of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, celebrate the occasion by waking up before Bramhamuhurtam (4 a.m). They chant and meditate remembering or thinking about their respective Gurus. They then worship the feet of their Gurus.
In Bhagavad Gita, it is mentioned that-

Dhyaana moolam guror murtih;
Pooja moolam guror padam;
Mantra moolam guror vakyam;
Moksha moolam guror kripa

Meaning-

The Guru's form should be meditated upon; the feet of the Guru should be worshipped; his words are to be treated as a sacred Mantra; his Grace ensures final liberation.

Students also wish their teachers on this day and take their blessings so that succeed in life. Events are also organised to honour teachers and students who express their gratitude to their gurus.

Farmers too wait for this day because around this time they receive rainfall, which is an indication of a good harvest. This is also the time that is considered good for learning. According to the spiritual gurus, this is the time when, through sadhana, you can transform your learning into prayer.

This day also marks the beginning of Chaturmas (4 auspicious months), which is considered perfect for learning. Legend has it that this is the time, during which gurus used to sit with their disciples to settle down in a place and study Brahma Sutra of Ved Vyas and they also engaged in Vedic discussions.