Kathmandu, July 10: Gurupurnima, also known as Asad Shukla Poornima, is being celebrated today by honouring and expressing gratitude towards mentors and teachers alike.
The festival also carries religious and cultural significance, as a day to honour the gurus— traditionally those who impart wisdom and guide followers towards the path of knowledge and awakening.
Academic institutions observe the day as Teachers’ Day with students honouring 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 Guru, says Prof Dr Devmani Bhattarai, a theologian and member of the Nepal Panchang Nirnayak Bikas Samiti.
Today is also observed as Vyas Jayanti in memory of Ved Vyas, who composed 18 Puranas and 18 Upapuranas in simple Sanskrit language to explain the meaning of Vedas, dividing 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 Ashadha, Vyas Jayanti is celebrated on this day, as per legends.
