Buddha Purnima 2023: Date, Rituals And Significance Of This Festival

Buddha Purnima is a very significant festival observed by people belonging to the Hindu and Buddhism religion. The day marks the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha also known as Gautam Buddha. As per the Hindu calendar, the festival is observed in the Hindu month of Vaisakh. This year the festival falls on 05 May 2023. Today we are here to tell you more about this festival. Scroll down to read more.

History

Every year the Purnima tithi in the Hindu month of Vaisakh is observed as Buddha Purnima. This year marks 2585th Birth Anniversary of Gautama Buddha. It will be celebrated on Friday, May 5, 2023. Purnima Tithi begins at 11:44 pm on 04 May 2023 and Purnima Tithi ends at 11:03 pm on May 05, 2023.

Rituals

• On this day, early morning prayers are organised in temples.
• People light diya around the Bodhi tree and offer water to its root.
• They also light candles.
• After this, people listen to the story and sermons of Lord Buddha.
• Monks recite the Buddhist scriptures and meditate.
• People take part in social services and worship the statue of Lord Buddha.

Significance

• As per the religious scriptures and mythological stories, Lord Buddha was born as Siddhartha to King Shudhodhan and Queen Maya.
• People believe that He was born in Lumbini, Nepal.
• Though Lord Buddha is associated with Buddhism as He founded the religion, He was born into a Hindu family.
• Hindus consider Him as one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Due to this, Hindus have immense faith in Lord Buddha and observe Buddha Purnima with utmost devotion.
• People often observe the day by taking part in the early morning prayers and yoga.
• Siddhartha became Gautam Buddha after attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar.