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| Buddha Statue at Dhauli, Odisha, India |
Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti or Vesak (Vaisakha) falls on the full moon day of Vaisakha as per Indian Calendar (April or May) is the Birthday of Lord Buddha. Buddha is called as one of the ten reincarnations of Lord Vishnu (as per Hindu mythology). Lord Buddha was born at Lumbini (now at Nepal) in 563 BC, in an Indian royal family. His original name was Siddharth; who started teaching Budhhatwa (enlightened path of spirituality) and called in the name as Buddha. The information and knowledge transferred throughout the world afterward and it became prominent in the name of Buddhism.
Buddha Purnima or Vesak is being celebrated throughout the world; mostly in Asian countries, India, Nepal, China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia and Tibet. However, the date varies a little as per the country’s local calendars. Thailand, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Laos used to follow the Buddhist Calendar; where the day falls on a full moon of 5th or 6th lunar month. As per Chinese Lunar Calendar, the day falls on eighth of their fourth month.
In India, the famous places of Buddhism and Buddha Purnima festival are Bodh Gaya in Bihar, Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, Sanchi, Delhi, Sikkim (in the name of Saga Dasa festival), Rajgir, Kaushambi, Nalanda, Vaishali, Dharmasala, Sravasti and Kushinagar. Apart from these, there are many other places in India, where Buddha Purnima was celebrated every year.
Other Buddhist festivals
Apart from Buddha Purnima or Vesak, there are many Buddhist festivals celebrated globally. Some of them are, Losar, Hemis Fair, Ullambana, Sangha day or Magha puja, Asalha or Dhamma day, Pavarana day and Uposatha etc.
- Losar is famous due to Tibetan New Year day; which is also celebrated in some of the regions of India.
- Hemis fair is being celebrated in Jammu & Kashmir of India.
- Upsatha is day of Sabbath as per Buddhism. It is the first day for Buddhist monks to sacrifice their family life and enter into the life of teaching and servicing with the knowledge said by Lord Buddha.
- Sangha day or Magha puja is one of the most important festivals of Buddhists other than Buddha Purnima or Vesak. On this day, the Buddhism community or Sangha receives reaffirm the people with trust and pledge to Buddhism.
