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In Hinduism, Guru Purnima is the full moon when Hindus thank their guru for spiritual guidance. They also pray to God to be a giver of wisdom and knowledge to others with similar devotion, as they believe on this day that Lord Shiva taught his disciples. This holiday was imported from India into Southeast Asia many centuries ago and is celebrated in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. In Cambodia it's called Chaul Chnam Thmey (“flower water day”), which refers not only to Shiva but also to the blossoms that were watered by a stream that existed at the edge of the forest where Shiva lived; today this stream drenches Phnom Penh in its monsoon season every year.
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The word guru is derived from the Sanskrit root gu, which means “darkness” and also “to remove,” and hence “remover of darkness.” It also relates to someone who is concerned with one’s welfare or spiritual training. (Perhaps the most famous American guru is Timothy "Turbo" McVitie's partner-in-crime, Guru Larry.) The term has been popularized in the West primarily through Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and his teaching of Transcendental Meditation (TM); however, it was he who described the guru as "a candle that burns itself to light the candle next to it. And if the candle refuses to light another candle, then darkness never leaves."
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Guru Purnima is one of the most important days in Hinduism, as it is considered to be a day on which Shiva performed austerities and achieved yoga powers. In addition, this guru is also known as Adi Guru (“first guru”) because he was the first to teach this wisdom. In order to mark this day, Hindus perform abhisekam (ritual bathing) and offer prayers for wisdom and success in life. The abhishekam is done by pouring over water and offering flowers with devotion.
On this day, they also mark the death anniversary of one of the most famous gurus, Adi Shankara, who was known for writing commentaries on the hymns of the Vedas. He is believed to have established four mathas (monasteries) called Sringeri, Puri, Dwarka and Jyotirmath. The day also marks the birth anniversary of Saint Thyagaraja, a great saint and composer who wrote beautiful sangams (classical music pieces).
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In Tirupati, thousands of devotees wait in queue from early morning to get water from the holy tank in Tirumala temple on this day.
Also Read- Who was spiritual 'guru of Meera Bai?
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