One of the most significant Hindu festivals is Guru Purnima. It is the day on which gurus are honored and applauded for sharing their valuable knowledge with the other ignorant people. Guru is the person who makes you realize that your conscience or aatma (soul) is eternal. He/she helps you transcend the cruel cycle of birth and death. In the modern sense, gurus are not only the spiritual sages but also the college lecturers, school teachers and any person who helps spreading his/her knowledge.
It is on the day of the birth of Guru Vyasa that the Hindus celebrate this festival because of which it is also known as Vyasa Purnima. Ved Vyasa classified the four Vedas, wrote the Mahabharata and the Puranas. Prayers on the Guru Purnima day reach Ved Vyasa directly and he showers his blessing on his disciple so that ignorance and darkness is removed from the life of the disciple. Along with the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains also celebrate Guru Purnima to pay respect to Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira respectively.
The relationship that the Guru and Chela (disciple) share is very pure and sacred. It is this relationship that is symbolized by this festival of Guru Purnima. Sannyasins and sadhus are offered prayers on the day Guru Purnima is celebrated. Disciples also feed the sannyasins and sadhus. Some disciples fast the whole day and meditate on their spiritual gurus. In India, many gurukuls and ashrams celebrate Guru Purnima on a large scale basis.
Offering sweets, grains, flowers, pulses and so on to the gurus, following a diet of fruit and milk, holding discussions and satsangs related to the teachings of the spiritual gurus etc. are some of the famous Guru Purnima rituals that every devoted spiritual aspirant follows. Unlike other festivals, Guru Purnima is not marked by household celebrations and festivities.