KATHMANDU, July 10: Gurupurnima, also known as Ashadh Shukla Poornima, is being celebrated today, Thursday, by honoring and expressing gratitude towards mentors and teachers.
The festival also carries religious and cultural significance as a day to honor the gurus, traditionally those who impart wisdom and guide followers towards the path of knowledge and awakening.
Guru Purnima being observed today
Academic institutions observe the day as Teachers' Day, with students honoring their teachers and professors while recalling their contribution to academic growth and excellence.
‘Gu’ means darkness, and ‘Ru’ means light. The person who destroys the darkness of ignorance with the light of knowledge is called a Guru, says Prof Dr Devmani Bhattarai, a theologian and member of the Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Bikas Samiti.
The day is also observed as Vyas Jayanti in memory of Ved Vyas, who composed 18 Puranas and 18 Upapuranas in simple Sanskrit to explain the meaning of the Vedas, dividing them into four parts: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda.
Since Ved Vyas is believed to have been born on the full moon day of the month of Ashadh, Vyas Jayanti is celebrated on this day, as per legends.
