Buddha Purnima is being celebrated today

Buddha Purnima is being celebrated today. It not only marks the day when Gautam Buddha was born but also the day when he attained Nirvana under the Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya.

Lord Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama on the full moon day in 563 BC at Lumbini in Nepal. His birth anniversary is also known as Vaisakhi Buddha Purnima or Vesak.  

The full moon day of May is the most important for Buddhists. Prince Siddhartha was born at Lumbini Grove on the full moon day, he attained enlightenment under the shade of the Bodhi tree and became Gotama Buddha at Bodh Gaya and after 45 years of teaching the Truth, when he was eighty, he passed away at Kusinara on the full moon day of May.

In Bihar Buddha Purnima is being celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety. The main function has been organized at Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under pious Bodhi tree. Due to Covid pandemic this time Buddha Jayanti is being celebrated after a gap of two years.

Around seven thousand Buddhist monks and devotees of different countries including Japan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia have come to Bodhgaya to



celebrate Buddha Purnima. A special prayer was organized under bodhi tree this morning in which monks of various countries participated They prayed for world peace. Shobha yatra was also taken out on this occasion in which a large number of devotees took part.

Mahabodhi temple wears a festive look and areas around temple is decorated with colourful flags and flowers. Monastries of different  Buddhist countries have also been nicely decorated. Tight security arrangements have been made around Mahabodhi temple. A strict vigil is being maintained to avert untoward incidents during puja celebrations. 

This day is commemorated by Buddhists and Hindus all over the world and is a major festival in countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Thailand, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, and Mongolia, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that on Buddha Purnima we recall the principles of Lord Buddha and reiterate our commitment to fulfill them. In a tweet, Mr Modi said that the thoughts of Lord Buddha can make our planet more peaceful, harmonious, and sustainable.