Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima is very important for Shree Swaminarayan Temple Willesden. 14 years ago on this day, the new Willesden temple was inaugurated and the idol of Balswarup Ghanashyam Maharaj was installed and consecrated by His Holiness Acharya MaharajShree. This was the first purpose built Hindu temple to be built from the foundation in the UK. Besides, this is an important festival for all Hindus. Today we worship our Guru. It is said one cannot gain full knowledge without the help of good Guru. Upanishad says, "The guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu, guru is Shiv. Indeed the guru is another form of God. I bow to you, guru". Without guru, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to reach God. Therefore Sage Tulsidas says in Ramayan, "If ever God and guru are standing together, first bow to guru. Because guru has helped us realise God." To show our appreciation and gratitude, we should worship our guru on this day. By worshipping guru, we are not in any way being dishonest with God. God Himself has sanctioned guru worship on this day. Guru may be equivalent of God, but how do we find the right guru? Lord Swaminarayan has done us a great favour by giving us guru in form of Acharya Maharaj. He installed two Acharyas as gurus of all satsangis.

Related Links:

Ekadashi

Shivratri

Tulsi vivah

Holi

Janmastmi

Swaminarayan jayanti & Ramnavmi

Diwali

Vijya Dashmi

Vasant Pachmi