Buddha Purnima

History & Origins of Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanti or Vesak, is one of the most sacred festivals celebrated by Buddhists and Hindus in India and across Asia. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana), and death (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, all of which are traditionally believed to have occurred on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Vaisakha (usually falling in April or May). Gautama Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini (modern-day Nepal) and attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar.

How It Is Observed & Celebrated

The day is marked by prayer meets, sermons on the life and teachings of Buddha, religious discourses, group meditation, and worship of the statue of Buddha. Devotees visit Buddhist temples and shrines, dress in pure white clothing, and offer flowers, candles, and incense. Many also engage in charitable works, offering food and clothes to the poor, and observe a vegetarian diet. Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, and Kushinagar are primary pilgrimage hubs.