"Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurudevo Maheshwara"

The first full moon after the summer solstice in the month of Ashadha is known as Guru Purnima and this year in 2016, it is celebrated on July 19..

It is an Indian and Nepalese festival dedicated to spiritual and academic teachers. The Guru dispels the darkness of ignorance and leads the aspirants on the path to enlightenment. The day of Guru Purnima is traditionally the time when seekers offer the Guru their gratitude and receive his blessings. Guru Purnima is also considered an especially beneficial day to practice yogic sadhana and meditation.

This momentous occasion took place on the banks of the lake Kantisarovar, which stands a few kilometers above the Kedarnath Temple in the Himalayas. Thus, the Adiyogi became the Adi Guru or the First Guru on this day.

The festival which is celebrated nation-wide to pay homage and to show love for their Gurus irrespective of which religion they belong too. On this auspicious day, the blessing by the guru is believed to be equal to that of a blessing from the God himself. Nowadays, the festival of Guru Purnima is largely celebrated in ashrams and in schools, colleges, and universities to thank and remember past teachers/gurus.