Guru Purnima is a holiday dedicated to paying respect and expressing gratitude to one’s spiritual and academic teachers predominantly celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal and India. Considering that “Purnima” is the Indian and Nepali word for full moon, the festival always falls on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashadha (typically occurring between June and July). Many Hindus celebrate Guru Purnima in honor Vyasa — one of the most revered gurus in Hinduism — believing that he was born on this day. Buddhists most commonly celebrate the holiday in honor of Buddha, as this was the day that He delivered his first sermon. Observances of the holiday often include visiting a temple, special recitations of the Hindu scriptures, meditating on guru’s teachings, and floral offerings and other symbolic gifts.
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