Festivals and events are a part of Indian culture and tradition. Come here anytime, you will find India soaked in festival mood. One part or the other of the country is always ready to celebrate a festival. Being a secular country, different religions are followed in the country and this gives a variety to the kind of festivals and events celebrated in the country. For the Hindus, it is festivals like Dipawali, Holi, Duesshra and Raksha Bandhan that are important while for Muslims it is Eid and that is significant.



Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is an important day for Buddhists. On this day, it is believed that prince Siddhartha was born to Sakya cheiftain, Suddhadhana and his queen Maya Devi. On the same day, after the passage of a number of years, Siddhartha achieved nirvana or enlightenment. From here, he came to be known as the Buddha. After spending years spreading his teachings, Buddha attained mahaparinirvana in Kushinagar on the same day. The day, therefore marks three important events in the life of Lord Buddha ? his birth, enlightenment and mahaparinirvana.

Being such a significant day, Buddha Purnima is observed in various other countries following Buddhism, however, there they are known by various other names. In India, the best place to witness the observance of Buddha Purnima are quiet obviously Bodhgaya, the city where Buddha achieved enlightenment. This important days bring together Buddhists from various countries. The Mahabodhi temple and the Bodhi tree, under which Siddhartha gained enlightenment, are adorned beautifully and prayer meets are organised. Buddhists also indulge in meditational practice which is one of the most important part in Buddhism. Other places in India where the observance of Buddha Purnima can be seen include Sarnath, Sikkim and Delhi.

Buddha Purnima, that falls in the month of May, is also a public holiday in many parts of India. Be part of this festival this time in India and learn more about the Buddhists rituals and practices.