Buddha Purnima (also known as Buddha Jayanti) celebrates the birth of Prince Siddharta Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. Buddhist tradition and archaeological discoveries suggest that Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal, between 563 and 483 BCE. His mother, Queen Maya Devi, gave birth to him during a journey to her ancestral home, while his father was King Śuddhodana. The Mayadevi Temple, along with its surrounding gardens and an Ashoka Pillar dating back to 249 BCE, marks the site of Buddha’s birth in Lumbini.

Buddha Purnima is culturally and spiritually significant for the global Buddhist community and is primarily observed in East Asia and South Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Tibet, Mongolia, Cambodia, and Indonesia.

When is Buddha Purnima observed?

People observe Buddha Purnima on a full moon day in the month of Vaisakha. According to Drik Panchang, the occasion falls on May 23 this year. While the exact dates of Buddha’s birth and demise are unclear, historians generally estimate his lifespan to be between 563 and 483 BC. This year marks Gautam Buddha’s 2586th birth anniversary.

What is the significance of Budhha Purnima?

Buddha Purnima is a day for reflecting on the core principles of Buddhism. Buddha Purnima is a significant day for Buddhists. It denotes three important phases in Lord Buddha’s life: his birth, enlightenment, and death. People know these events as three blessed festivals.

People observe the festival of Buddha Jayanti on the full moon day of the lunar month. This corresponds with the month of April-May. On this day, devotees from around the world wear white clothes and exchange greetings. Believers of Buddhism around the globe offer prayers, meditate, observe fasts, and preach his teachings (dharma). People also follow the tradition of taking dips in the holy river Ganga, as they believe this washes away sins.

According to tradition, Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under a banyan tree. The popular Mahabodhi Temple, which shelters a tree that has grown from the original banyan tree, lights up with bright lights, decorates with flowers, and welcomes devotees, pilgrims, and visitors from around the world.

Quotes which are followed by followers of Buddhism

The journey to enlightenment begins with a single step. Celebrate Buddha Purnima by taking yours towards a life of self-discovery.
let us vow to spread love, kindness, and harmony in the world
A single candle can light thousands of other candles without shortening its own life. Happiness never decreases by sharing.
The mind is everything. What you think, you become.

Tithi for buddha purnima-
start date- 18:47 on May 22, 2024
end date- 19:22 on May 23, 2024