Hindus attach the greatest importance to spiritual Teachers (Guru). They are often equated with God and considered mediators between man and the Almighty.
On the full moon of the month of Ashad (July—August), Guru Purnima is celebrated.
This is the day of remembrance of the great sage Vyasa. All Hindus owe this ancient saint, who edited the Vedas (a collection of higher sacred knowledge), wrote 18 Puranas (sacred texts of Hinduism) and «Mahabharata». Vyasa was also the Teacher of the sage Dattatreya, who is revered as the Teacher of the Teachers.
On this day, all spiritual guides and their adherents worship Vyasa by honoring his divine personality, and then all disciples perform «puju» (offering to the deity as a living being of the humble gifts of — food and flowers) in honor of their spiritual mentor or Gurudev.
This day is also favorable for the beginning of spiritual discipleship.