Buddha Purnima 2024: History and importance of celebrating Lord Buddha's birthday; know best places to observe in India

Buddha Purnima is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Vaisakha, which occurs in April or May. 

This year's auspicious festival of Buddha Purnima is on May 23. The sacred event commemorates the birth of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. 

Buddha Purnima 2024: History

Buddha Purnima, a religious holiday observed by Buddhists across the world, commemorates the birth of Gautama Buddha. While the precise day of his birth is uncertain, it is traditionally celebrated on the full moon day of the Vaisakha month in the Hindu lunar calendar.

Born in 623 BC amid the tranquil grounds of Lumbini, Nepal, Prince Siddhartha Gautama, later known as Gautama Buddha, started on a spiritual journey that would have far-reaching consequences. Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a popular pilgrimage site for Buddhists, attracting travellers from all over the world.

Buddha Purnima 2024: Significance

Buddha Purnima is a day set aside to concentrate on Buddhism's essential ideals of peace, compassion, and enlightenment. In areas of South and Southeast Asia, the festival overlaps with Vesak, a celebration commemorating Buddha's enlightenment and passage into Nirvana. This important event is an opportunity to share the message of peace and harmony. People make holiday cards or social media postings with emotional messagesto their loved ones.

Buddha Purnima 2024: Best places to observe in India

Sarnath
Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, near Varanasi.

Bodhgaya
Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, obtained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, Bihar. 

Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang and Bomdila are known for their peaceful Buddhist atmosphere, making them perfect for celebrating Buddha Purnima.

Ladakh
Ladakh, a high-altitude area in Jammu and Kashmir, is rich in monasteries and Buddhist cultural heritage monuments.

Sikkim
Sikkim, ensconced in the Himalayas, has a rich Buddhist past. The state is rich in monasteries, notably the well-known Rumtek Monastery and Pemayangtse Monastery.

Buddha Purnima 2024: How to celebrate

You can visit temples on this day. Pouring water over Buddha statues' shoulders is a symbolic practice that represents cleaning and rejuvenation. 

You can also do charity on this day. In some countries like East Asia, lantern processions are held in the evening.
 
People also decorate houses on this day. 

Buddha Purnima 2024: Quotes 

• "Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."
• "In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you."
• "Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life."
• “If you truly loved yourself, you could never hurt another.”
• “Peace comes from understanding and accepting that which is.”
• “Radiate boundless love towards the entire world.”
• “Choose words that bring peace, not conflict.”
• “Love is the key to ending hatred and finding peace.”