Guru Purnima is one of the festivals that forms the strong foundation of Indian culture. It celebrates the honorary Indian tradition of the deep relation between a teacher and the students. It is the opportunity to pay respects and show gratitude to all teachers. This occasion is celebrated on the full moon of the Hindu calendar during Aṣādha and is a two-day festival at Sandipani Vidyaniketan.
Guru Purnima
Guru Purnima Celebrations at Sandipani, 2015
On the eve of Guru Purnima, an award ceremony, known as Guru Gaurav Awards, is held to honour and felicitate teachers from various parts of Gujarat who are working passionately and diligently towards building the future of children.
Watch video on Guru Gaurav Awards held in 2017.
On the day of Guru Purnima, Guru Gita is recited by all in the presence of Pujya Bhaishri, followed by a speech by Pujya Bhaishri. Devotees thereafter pay their respects to Pujya Bhaishri.
Watch the Guru Purnima Celebrations in 2017.
Guru Purnima Celebrations at Sandipani, 2015
Cultural programmes are held in the evening, the deities at Shri Hari Mandir are dressed with beautiful ornaments and themed decorations made by the Sandipani Rishikumars are shown at Shri Hari Mandir. The divine Dhwaja Rohan ceremony (hoisting of the divine flags atop the temples of Shri Hari Mandir) is also carried out during this event.
Guru Gaurav Awards
Guru Gaurav Awards are held to honour and recognize teachers from various parts of Gujarat who are working passionately and diligently to improve the future of children.
Initially, this award ceremony was begun with teachers in Porbandar District only. Recently, nominations are also being accepted from Saurashtra-Kutch. Every year, from different districts of Gujarat, five teachers are chosen and felicitated at Sandipani.
Pujya Bhaishri says, “Once the science of consecration is performed in an idol in a temple, it is worshipped as God. Similarly, inviting those teachers to honour their work, who are developing our great future citizens, certainly leads to the manifestation of the qualities of a Guru in them.”
This event is named ‘Vidyaguru Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav’ with the belief that this gathering of teachers will be an opportunity for other teachers to be inspired through self-reflection and those honoured can dedicate themselves even further in their fields of expertise.
Pujya Bhaishri believes that only a country with teachers of great character, values and expertise will excel socially, professionally and spiritually.
Three categories of Awards are presented:
1. Śreṣtha Vidya Mandir Award (Best School Award) – includes primary schools, high schools, schools on grant and Government schools who excel in providing a high quality of education through their various curriculum and activities.
- 2013 – 14 – Meghani High School, Bagasra, for excellent results, best activities and the highest number of students.
- 2014 – 15 – Matruchaya Girls High School, Bhuj, for excellent results with best system of education and a higher number of female students.
- 2015 – 16 – Lokbharati Vidyamandir, Ambla – Basic education at a high standard.
- 2017-18 – Sanganva Primary School, Rajkot – innovative use of Science and Technology.
Pujya Bhaishri presenting the Best School Award to the principal of Sanganva Primary School
Pujya Bhaishri presenting the Best Teacher Award to Shri Baldevpari Zaverpari, 2017
2. Śreṣtha Guru Gaurav Award (Best Teacher Award) – awarded to those who perform great innovative work within education and the society.
- 2013 – 14 – Hirjibhai Bhingradiya, Godavariben Bhingradiya, from Malsar, for education in Agriculture.
- 2014 – 15 – Sonalben Shah, from Kadvibai Vidyalay, Rajkot, for the education of girls.
- 2015 – 16 – Parthesh Pandya, Bindu Pandya, from Rajpara, for the education of society.
- 2017-18 – Baldevpari Zaverpari from Junagadh, for their contribution in the field of technology at Barvaar Primary School.
3. Lifetime Achievement Award – bestowed to those who have spent their entire life contributing in the field of education and continue to do so.
- 2013 – 14 – Dr. Nalinbhai Pandit, Bhavnagar, for elementary education and education for the society.
- 2014 – 15 – Dr. Arunbhai Dave, Sanosara, for Basic education and education in Science.
- 2015 – 16 – Suresh Sanghvi, Rapar, Kutch, for education in remote areas and areas with minimal education.
- 2017-18 – Gulabbhai and Ushaben Jani, Rajkot, for their contribution to education at Sister Nivedita School for the past fifty years.
Pujya Bhaishri presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Gulabbhai and Ushaben Jani, 2017