Guru Purnima: This day is celebrated as Guru Purnima, a
festival dedicated to honoring and expressing gratitude towards spiritual and
academic teachers (Gurus). It is believed that on this day, spiritual seekers
pay homage to their gurus, seeking their blessings for spiritual progress and
enlightenment. The term "Guru" encompasses not only spiritual
teachers but also mentors and guides in various fields of knowledge.
Vyasa Poornima: Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa
Poornima, as it marks the birth anniversary of Ved Vyasa, the sage who is
revered as the compiler of the Vedas and the author of the Mahabharata,
Puranas, and other sacred texts in Hinduism. Ved Vyasa is considered one of the
greatest sages in Hindu tradition, and his contributions to the preservation
and dissemination of knowledge are honored on this day.
Chaturmas Vrat: For certain Hindu communities, Chaturmas
Vrat, a period of austerity and religious observances, begins on Guru Purnima.
Chaturmas is a four-month period that typically starts on Ashada Purnima and
ends on Kartik Purnima. During Chaturmas, devotees engage in various spiritual
practices such as fasting, studying scriptures, and performing acts of charity
to enhance their spiritual growth.
Ashadi Purnima Festival: In addition to these traditional
observances, an important festival known as the Ashadi Purnima festival is
celebrated during this period at the Shirdi Sai Baba temple. Shirdi Sai Baba, a
revered saint in India, is worshipped by millions of devotees as a spiritual
master who taught the importance of love, compassion, and selfless service. The
Ashadi Purnima festival typically involves elaborate rituals, devotional
singing, distribution of prasad (sanctified food), and congregational prayers,
drawing devotees from far and wide to pay homage to Sai Baba.
Overall, the full moon day of Ashada month holds great significance in Hindu culture, symbolizing spiritual renewal, reverence for teachers, and the beginning of a period of spiritual discipline and devotion. It serves as a reminder of the importance of gratitude, knowledge, and the pursuit of spiritual growth in one's life.