Guru Purnima falls on, 19th July (Tuesday) 2016

Guru Purnima falls on, 19th July (Tuesday) 2016 is observed on the Full Moon day during Ashadha month (June-July) as per Hindu calendar. Guru Puja or Guru Worship is done on this day. Traditionally disciple offer puja and pay their obeisance to their Guru or teachers on this day. Guru in Sanskrit is translated as "dispeller of darkness and refers to spiritual guide who enlightens his disciples through his knowledge and teachings. The day of Guru Purnima is also beneficial to carry out yogic sadhana and meditation.

This day is also known as Vyasa Purnima and commemorated as the birth anniversary of Veda Vyasa, the author and a character in the Hindu magnum opus Mahabharata. Some of the notable Gurus in Hinduism are Sri Madhvacharya, Adi Shankara and Sri Ramanuja Acharya.

Buddhists also celebrate Guru Purnima in the honor of Gautama Buddha. It is said that Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh on this day.

Your real Guru is truly within. He is the One who dispels all fear and ignorance. As Ramakrishna Paramahamsa says, “He alone is the true teacher who is illumined by the light of true knowledge.” The outside world Gurus, help you connect to the Guru within. He resides in your Vishudha Chakra located on the throat and awakens when you surrender to your higher self.

When is Guru Purnima in 2016?
The Guru Purnima festival will fall on the 19th of July in 2016. Traditionally it falls on the full moon day in the Hindu calendar month of Ashadh (June-July).

Guru Purnima Timings
Purnima Tithi Begins - 04:40 on 19th July
Purnima Tithi Ends - 04:26 on 20th July

Significance of Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is the day to show gratitude to one's Guru who removes inner fears or darkness and show the path to Parabrahma, the Supreme One. Guru Purnima is observed on the Full Moon day during Ashadha month (June-July). Guru Puja or Guru Worship is performed on this day in order to offer obeisance to his Guru or teachers on this day. He is a teacher, a spiritual master and the one who guides you through your personal, professional and spiritual development.

It is the day to revere our teachers and mentors who make our life valuable. It is the Guru who removes the darkness from within his students and leads them to the light of wisdom and ultimately introduces them to God. The ones who impart temporal wisdom such as school teachers and college lecturers are also felicitated on this day.

The importance of Guru Purnima and the Guru is detailed in the below Sanskrit verse:

"Guru Govind donu khade, kisko laagu paay,
Balihari Gurudevaki jinhe Govind diyo bataay"

Meaning: I don’t know whom to worship first.. the Guru or God as it is the Guru who lead me to God.

Guru Purnima Legend
Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima as Sage Ved Vyas, the author of Mahabharata and Brahma Sutras was born on this day. Buddhists believe this to be the day when Gautam Buddha taught his disciples the path of enlightenment. Buddhists celebrate Guru Purnima by meditating and observing uposatha.
Guru Purnima Mantra and Its Importance
A mantra that is specially used on this day is:

"Gururbrahmaa Gururvishnuh Gururdevo Maheswarah|
Guruh-Saakshaat Parabrahma Tasmai Shrigurave Namah ||"

It means that the Guru is Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva), revere the Guru who is a manifestation of Parabrahma, the Supreme God.

What To Do on Guru Purnima
Wake up early in the morning (Brahmamuhurta) to pray and chant hymns to the Guru.
Guru's feet should be worshiped. He is presented with Gifts of Rudraksha mala, Shawl, Paduka and the like.
Food and delicacies should be offered to the ascetics and spiritualists.
Offer flowers, fruits and prayers to Satguru Ved Vyasa.

Finding the real Guru:

One who is a genuine seeker of knowledge and truth always finds his Guru. And this is possible when one is naturally curious and inclined to finding a path that leads to bliss. Such people guided by their Guru on the outside meets the real Guru inside: