Ashadh GuruJupiter Purnima is an auspicious day, celebrated as the birthday of sage Vyasa in India and Nepal. This sacred Purnima falls on Friday July 27, 2018, on Ashadh Purnima. Ashadh Purnima also known as Vyasa Purnima or Guru Purnima, is considered extremely significant for paying respect to teachers, chanting Mantra, Puja, Snan-daan.
Time and date for Guru Purnima 2018
Purnima Tithi for Guru Purnima festival begins on Thursday,July 26,2018 at 11:16 PM( I.S.T. ), ends on Saturday, July 28,2018 at 01:50 PM(I.S.T.).
Shubh Muhurat for Ashadh Guru Purnima Puja
Ashadh Guru Purnima or Ashadha Guru Purnima is celebrated on July 27, this year, longest Total Lunar eclipse occurs on the same date.
Shubh Muhurat (best time) for Guru Purnima Puja begins at 5:30 AM till 10:28 AM; 12:00(noon) till 2:54 PM(I.S.T.) on 27th July,2018.
Significance of Ashadh Purnima or Ashadha Purnima:
It is a spiritual and devotional festival of India and Nepal.This festival signifies the relationship between Shishya(disciples) and Guru (academic or spiritual teacher).
A large number of different dharma followers celebrate it with with great enthusiasm and devotion: Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and Jain which shows harmony among all these religions.
Devotees, disciples, music and dance practitioners (who follow guru-Shishya tradition) celebrate this festival with great pleasure and pay due respect to their Guru(teacher).
People keep fast, worship God, do rituals (Snan-daan) offer gifts, like clothes(Vastra), food (Anna) or Dakshina to Guru or Pundit.
Devotees take holy bath in the river and observe it traditionally in India, Nepal and other parts of the world by paying due respect, showing gratitude and thanking to their living teachers, Gurus or mentors.
People observe this sacred Tithi Ashadh Purnima in the memory of learned sage Maharshi Vyasa who edited four vedas: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Saamveda and Atharvaveda and eighteen Puranas, the Mahabharata and the holy book Bhagavad Gita.
This Purnima is also known as Guru Purnima. The word “Gu” means darkness and “ru” means the remover of the darkness, Guru mean one who removes darkness to show light.
Chant Guru Mantra on Guru Purnima to seek blessings from Guru:
Gurur Brahmaa Gurur Vishnu
Gurur Devo Maheshwara
Guru Sakshaat Parabrahma
Tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.
Explanation of the Guru Mantra
The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, the Guru is God Shiva, the Guru is verily supreme Brahma itself. Salutations to the adorable Guru.
Buddhists consider it auspicious and celebrate this day, as Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon on this day at Sarnatha, near Varanasi (U.P.)
For spiritual persons and Sanyasis, Chaturmas (a four months period) begins on this day.
