Guru Purnima 2020 Date: When is Guru Purnima in India?

Most people also observe a fast on this day as a symbol of loving exchange and prayers for the long life of their Guru in order to continue getting their guidance.

It is believed that on this day Lord Buddha gave his first sermon on a full moon day after he went from Bodhgaya to Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh after five weeks of achieving enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The followers of Buddha, thus, celebrate this day to worship him.

For those practising Hinduism, the also day marks the birth anniversary of  Veda Vyasa, the author of Mahabharata. Another legend has it that Guru Purnima is the day when Lord Shiva became the Adi Guru or the first guru. Shiva had detailed several mechanics of life. Consequently, his seven disciples, known as ‘Saptarishis’, spread the knowledge across the world.