On the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered his prayers at the Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur on Sunday. CM Adityanath was seen performing rituals, including pouring milk on Lord Shiva and offering his prayers to Lord Gorakhnath. The Chief Minister also interacted with children, distributing chocolates on the temple premises, spreading joy among the young devotees.
In a message on X, CM Adityanath extended his heartfelt wishes to the people of Uttar Pradesh. He highlighted the significance of Guru Purnima, stating, "Heartiest greetings to the people of the state on the sacred festival of ‘Guru Purnima’! Guru’s grace protects the disciple from all kinds of obstacles. It removes the physical, divine, and material sufferings of the surrendered disciple and grants him salvation. My heartfelt greetings and salutations to all the teachers."
Across India, devotees gathered at various temples to pay their respects and seek blessings from their spiritual teachers on this holy day. Many took ritualistic dips in sacred rivers as part of their prayers.
In Uttar Pradesh, thousands of devotees bathed in the holy Saryu river in Ayodhya, a practice seen similarly in Prayagraj Sangam and Kanpur, where worshippers took a dip in the Ganga. In Garhmukteshwar, devotees offered prayers to Lord Shiva, while in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, worshippers were also seen taking a holy dip in the Ganga River.
Acharya Satyendra Das, the Chief Priest of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, spoke on the significance of Guru Purnima, emphasising the respect and reverence given to gurus. He remarked, "It is a very significant festival.
On this day, devotees visit the temples to pray in the name of their gurus and also take their blessings." He added, "There is a lot of pride in being called a guru… A guru’s responsibility is to end the ignorance in their students and provide them with knowledge. The way God is worshipped, the same way one’s guru should also be worshipped."
Guru Purnima also marks the end of the month of Ashadh and the beginning of the month of Sawan. Devotees observe this day with various rituals, including taking a holy dip in rivers and visiting temples to offer prayers.
Those who have taken initiation from their gurus and received Guru Mantra go to their gurus to worship them. In Indian culture, a guru is considered an essential guide for achieving success in life, and thousands of people visit their respected gurus on this day to honour them with gifts and offerings.
The significance of respecting gurus on Guru Purnima lies in the belief that such reverence brings positive changes in life. In Varanasi, there is a tradition of taking Guru Mantra on this day. The day is also known as Ashadhi Purnima and Vyas Purnima, commemorating the birth of Maharishi Ved Vyas, the author of the Mahabharata.
The role of a guru is revered not only in Hinduism but also in Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. In Buddhism, Guru Purnima is especially important as it is believed that Lord Buddha gave his first Dharma Chakra Pravartan (turning of the wheel of Dharma) on this day. The festival of Guru Purnima, thus, transcends religious boundaries, highlighting the universal respect for teachers and spiritual guides.
As the devotees celebrate Guru Purnima, they engage in rituals of bathing and giving donations, considered highly auspicious on this day. The essence of the festival lies in expressing gratitude towards the gurus who guide their disciples towards enlightenment and spiritual growth.
Through their teachings and blessings, gurus play a pivotal role in the spiritual and moral development of individuals, fostering a culture of respect and reverence in society.
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