When Is Buddha Purnima 2024? Know the Date, Significance, Celebrations and More About the Buddhist Festival That Celebrates the Birth of Gautama Buddha
The festival marks the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism. Buddhists in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Tibet, and Mongolia celebrate Buddha Purnima which is also known as Buddha Jayanti and Buddha Day.
Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak, is a sacred Buddhist festival that usually takes place on the full moon day of Vaisakh, which is a Hindu month falling between April and May in the Gregorian calendar. This year, Buddha Purnima 2024 will be celebrated on May 23, 2024. Buddha Purnima marks the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism. Buddhists in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Tibet, and Mongolia celebrate Buddha Purnima. The festival is also known as Buddha Jayanti and Buddha Day. Although the exact date of Buddha's birthday varies from year to year, it is typically celebrated in either April or May. Here is all you need to know about the Buddha Purnima 2024 date, its significance and celebrations. Buddha Purnima: Five Buddhist Temples Around the World That Will Astonish You.
Buddha Purnima 2024 Date and Significance
Buddha Purnima 2024 will be celebrated this year on Thursday, May 23. Buddha Purnima is an auspicious festival for Buddhists, commemorating three important events in Gautama Buddha's life, the first being his birth in Lumbini, the second being his achieving of enlightenment in Bodhgaya and the third being him entering into Mahaparinirvana (a state of eternal bliss), in Kusinagar.
According to Buddhist tradition, Gautama Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal, on this day. He achieved enlightenment at the age of 35 after meditating for 49 days under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India. After this, he came to be known as Gautama Buddha. Buddhists believe he attained nirvana at Bodh Gaya (now in India), released from the cycle of rebirth after leading a life of mendicancy, asceticism, and meditation. This day is considered sacred and celebrated as the 'thrice-blessed day'. Buddha Purnima Rangoli Designs: Here Are Some Unique and Beautiful Rangoli Ideas To Decorate House on Buddha Jayanti This Year (Watch Videos).
Celebrations of Buddha Jayanti
Buddha Purnima is an important occasion for the followers of Buddha, holding both religious and spiritual significance. Many devotees visit Buddhist monasteries to pray and meditate. In several 'Viharas' (Buddhist monasteries), it is customary to display a small image of Baby Buddha on the altar, filled with water and flowers. The devotees are allowed to pour water over the statue, symbolising the event where devas and spirits made heavenly offerings to him.
During the festival, people decorate their homes and 'Viharas' while distributing food, medicines, fruits, milk, biscuits, and bread to needy people. They make a special effort to bring a smile and happiness to the unfortunate. The purpose of this festival is to remind his followers to follow Buddha's way of life, which eventually leads to enlightenment.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 09, 2024 11:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).