Guru Purnima 2021: PM Modi, President Kovind Extend Their Greetings To People On The Occasion

PM Modi tweeted, "Hearty greetings to the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima."

Guru Purnima 2021

New Delhi: Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi extended his greeting on the occasion of Guru Purnima on Saturday. He also shared a message at 8:30 AM at Ashadha Purnima-Dhamma Chakra Day programme.

PM Modi tweeted, "Hearty greetings to the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima."

President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, also spoke at the Ashadha Purnima-Dhamma Chakra Day programme and said," I believe that appeal of Buddhism goes much beyond the nearly 550 million formally ordained followers of the faith. People belonging to other faiths & even sceptics & atheists feel attracted to the teachings of Buddha".

He also planted a sapling from the Holy Bodhi tree in the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

President Kovind plants a sapling from the Holy Bodhi tree in the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of Asadha Poornima, which is observed as Dharma Chakra Day. pic.twitter.com/IcXUv1FC4s

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 24, 2021

During his address, Prime Minister Modi said that the world can defeat Covid-19 by following in the path of Gautam Buddha. He said, In Sarnath, Lord Buddha had told us the formula of life and knowledge. He told about sorrow, explained the cause of sorrow while assuring that suffering can be conquered. He also explained the way to this victory."

"Humanity faces a crisis today in form of COVID. Lord Buddha has become even more relevant. India has shown how we can face the greatest of challenges by walking on his path," he emphasised.

He further said that Buddha's principles bind countries together strengthening humanity. 

"Today, the nations of the world are also holding each other's hands and complementing each other with the good thoughts of Buddha", he added. 

This year, Guru Purnima, which is observed on the full moon day in Ashadh month of the Hindu calendar, falls on July 24, which coincides with the lunar eclipse. It is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists to honour one's gurus or teachers who guide them through their lives towards the path of enlightenment.

Devotees from different corners of the country come to worship their Gurus living in Haridwar on the occasion. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Haridwar District Administration has said that only a 'symbolic snan' (holy bath) will be held. Only 'Shri Ganga Sabha' and 'Teerth Purohit' will participate in the snan.

The administration has allowed the devotees to enter the district with a negative RT-PCR report of not older than 72 hours. However, they will not be allowed to take the holy bath (snan).