Buddha
Purnima or Buddha Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the Buddha is
widely celebrated, on a full moon night in April/May.
The Buddha was born on the Full Moon day in the month of Vaisakh
in 563 BC. He achieved enlightenment as well as nirvana on the same
date. It is also believed that Yashodara, Gautam's wife, his charioteer
Channa and even his horse Kantaka were born on the same day.
On this day, Buddhists offer prayers in their temples. Sarnath in
Uttar Pradesh and Bodh Gaya in Bihar are the main centres of celebration.
The Bodhi
tree in Bodhgaya has stood for centuries as a reminder of the
Buddha's attainment of enlightenment. Gaya is a sacred place of
pilgrimage for Buddhists. Each year, the tree is venerated and
the viharas nearby resound to the chants of Buddhist monks.
The great
celebration of the month of Vaishakh falls on the full moon day
on which Gautama, the Buddha, was born.
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