Guru Purnima draws devotees across UP; Ayodhya, Prayagraj witness huge gatherings
New Delhi, July 29
Thousands of devotees across Uttar Pradesh observed Guru Purnima with religious fervour on Wednesday, taking holy dips in sacred rivers, visiting temples and participating in special prayers and rituals. Major spiritual centres, including Ayodhya and Prayagraj, witnessed large gatherings of devotees seeking blessings on the auspicious occasion.
In Ayodhya, thousands of devotees gathered at Mani Ram Das Chhawani, where Mahant Kamalnayan Das initiated devotees into discipleship. A Mangal Aarti was also performed amid an atmosphere filled with devotion and spirituality.
Devotees from different parts of the country reached Ayodhya Dham early in the morning, first taking a holy dip in the Saryu River before visiting temples and monasteries to offer prayers and seek blessings from their spiritual guides.
In Prayagraj, a large number of devotees gathered at the Triveni Sangam to take a holy dip on Guru Purnima. Many devotees performed religious rituals, offered prayers to their Gurus and made donations for the welfare of society.
Speaking to IANS about the significance of the Guru-disciple tradition, Tirth Purohit Gopal Guru said, "Our tradition says that a Guru should not seek anything from a disciple, and a disciple should be willing to offer everything to the Guru. This is the essence of our tradition... Without a Guru, true knowledge is incomplete. No matter how many books we read, it is the Guru who shows us the right path..."
A devotee who arrived at the Sangam said, "I woke up early this morning and came to the Sangam for a holy dip before the crowds gathered. After taking the dip, I offered prayers to my Guru and performed the rituals. We also made donations, praying for the welfare of the world and the well-being of everyone."
Meanwhile, in Varanasi, the rising water level of the Ganga River due to heavy rainfall in the hilly regions created concern among residents and authorities. Several smaller ghats and riverside temples have been submerged, and officials fear that continued rise in water levels could affect access to several ghats and pose challenges for people living in low-lying areas.
A priest in Varanasi said, "I had come here early this morning, around 4 a.m. At that time, the water level was three to four steps lower. Compared to then, it has now risen by another four steps. We are facing increasing difficulties every day..."
Despite the challenges caused by the rising river levels, devotees continued to participate in Guru Purnima rituals across Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the deep spiritual significance of the occasion.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I'm not Indian but I've read about Guru Purnima. It's fascinating how deeply rooted the guru-shishya tradition is here. Even with modern changes, people still travel miles for a holy dip and blessings. The spiritual energy in places like Varanasi and Prayagraj must be incredible!
While I respect the tradition, I wish more emphasis was placed on crowd management and safety. The article mentions rising water levels in Varanasi, yet devotees are still gathering. Someone should coordinate better with local authorities to ensure no accidents happen. Devotion is fine, but life is precious too.
I was in Prayagraj last year during Guru Purnima - the atmosphere at Sangam is surreal! 🕉️ The peace you feel after taking a dip is beyond words. Grateful to our gurus who guide us without expecting anything in return. Truly the essence of Sanatana Dharma.
The rising Ganga water level in Varanasi is worrying 😟 Why doesn't the government plan better for such events? Every year we see same issues at religious gatherings. Instead of just praising devotion, let's also ask for better infrastructure and safety measures. Devotees deserve both spiritual fulfillment and physical safety.
My grandmother always said, "Guru bin gyan nahi" - without a guru, knowledge is incomplete. This article beautifully captures that spirit. The disciple willing to give everything, and the guru asking nothing - that's the pure relationship we need more of in today's materialistic world. 🙏
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.