Several cultural events, prayers, hawans and bhandara were organised across the district to mark Guru Poornima on Friday. Besides, the stage is set for the Kanwar Mela that would kick-start on August 1.
Thousands of people from the surrounding areas and different parts of the state thronged here to take dip in the Ganga at Har Ki Pauri on the occasion of Guru Poornima that is an occasion for expressing gratitude and obeisance to the Gurus.
There are myths and traditions galore that are woven around the day. The hoary tradition associated with the day (Full Moon day in the month of Ashadha (July – August) is dedicated to sage Vyasa.
Hence the day is also referred to Vyasa Poornima. Sage Vyasa is supposed to have been born on this day.
KD Mishra, a city- based astrologer, said that Sage Vyasa was spiritual knowledge incarnate.
“People down the millennia look upon him as the spiritual guide who steers human souls muddled in the squalor of worldly life towards the consummation of freedom from the bondage of Maya . Apart from knowledge, Vyasa possessed great mystical powers which worked miracles for his disciples. Sanjay, the close aide of King Dhritarashtra, attained the mystical power to see the day-to-day happenings of the Mahabharata battle from afar, thanks to the blessing of the sage,” he recounted.
Many cultural and traditional programmes were organised in Shantikunj. The followers of Gayatri Family planted saplings to mark the day. Bhandara and Yagya were performed in many other Ashrams and hospices, including Harihar Ashram Kankhal, Jairam Ashram Khadkhadi, Parmarth Ashram Bhupatwala, Patanjali Yogpeeth Bhadrabad and Matri Sadan Jagjeetpur.
From Guru Poornima, Kanwaris start thronging the holy city which will keep the district administration and police going on their toes to manage the streaming lakhs. However, till today, they do not seem to be fully prepared.
Swami Shivanand released a souvenir on Ganga compiled by Mithilatmak Adhyatam Manch Darbangha on the occasion of Guru Poornima.
He said he is convinced that anyone, however mighty, would face the consequences if he dares fiddle with the eternal holy flow of Ganga.