Vibrant and Virtual Gurupurnima Celebrations 2020 An uplifting occasion to dissolve in loving devotion towards a supremely benevolent Living Master – Gurupurnima celebrates the eternal bond between a Guru and His disciple. For a disciple, it is the festival of the utmost importance in his life. This year, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, thousands of devotees celebrated it online through the video telecast – creating an inner closeness with their Guru. The ecstatic three-day-virtual programme for Gurupurnima began on 3 July with a night of bhakti entitled ‘Guru Meri Bandagi’ which consisted of a drama on the life of saint Rumi’s loving devotion to his Master and a medley of Sufi songs. On 4 July, with the apt title of ‘Guru Mera Sumiran’ showcased various plays enacted by devotees highlighting grace, connection, and gratitude. On Sunday, 5 July rose the sun of Gurupurnima – the holy day of ‘Guru Meri Puja.’ This included a heart-touching meditation on ‘Sadguru – The Divine Potter’; and Sadguru Udghosh that extolled the extraordinary importance of a Sadguru. Thereafter, Pujya Gurudevshri initiated the sacred and deeply connecting Ashtaprakari Puja – the 8 types of puja of Chinmaya Chintamani Param Krupalu Dev Shrimad Rajchandraji. Alongside the chanting of 108 virtues of Param Krupalu Dev, Pujya Gurudevshri performed the 8 kinds of worship with water, sandalwood paste, flowers, incense, lamp, rice, food, and fruit; exhibiting a paradigm of amazing humility. A video-compilation of devotees’ heartfelt dedications and venerations at the Lotus Feet of their Master was played next, allowing the disciples to commemorate their Master. In the evening, Param Krupalu Dev’s exalted spiritual state and the unwavering faith of His devoted jewels were beautifully exemplified through the video recordings of inspiring plays. The three-day online festivities concluded with a special offering of devotional singing by the Mission’s bhakti team, extolling the importance of a Guru, and augmenting the depth of connection. While virtual in their form, these celebrations were a strong mode of connection, allowing disciples to ably pay homage to the infinite virtues of their Master.
