Buddha Jayanti 2024: Is Buddha Purnima a National Holiday? Check Date, History & Significance

Buddha Purnima 2024: Buddha Purnima (also known as Buddha Jayanti) celebrates the birth of Prince Siddharta Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. Gautama Buddha is said to have been born in Lumbini, Nepal, between 563 and 483 BCE, based on Buddhist tradition and archeological discoveries. His mother, Queen Maya Devi, gave birth to him during a journey to her ancestral home, while his father was King Śuddhodana. The Mayadevi Temple, along with its surrounding gardens and an Ashoka Pillar dating back to 249 BCE, marks the site of Buddha's birth in Lumbini.  

Many South East Asian nations, including Thailand, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, and Indonesia, as well as India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, celebrate the day with great joy and happiness. 

Check out this article to clear up the date around the celebration of Buddha Purnima in 2024. 

When is Buddha Purnima in 2024? 

The Buddhist and Hindu calendars' Vaisakha month and the Vikram Samvat calendar primarily observe Buddha's birthday, which is determined by the lunisolar calendars of Asia. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the Buddhist calendar month of Vaisakha in the historical locations of the Buddha's life, modern-day India and Nepal. The date varies from year to year in the Western Gregorian calendar but usually falls in April or May. This year, 2586^th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha falls on May 23, 2024.

Source: DrikPanchang

Why Is Buddha Purnima Celebrated?

Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death (or parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. It holds profound significance for Buddhists worldwide as a day of reflection, meditation, and acts of kindness. It celebrates the life and teachings of Buddha, emphasizing the principles of compassion, non-violence, and mindfulness. On this day, followers engage in rituals such as visiting temples, offering prayers, and practising generosity. Buddha Purnima serves as a reminder of the timeless wisdom and enlightenment that Buddha imparted, inspiring devotees to strive for inner peace and spiritual awakening.

Is Buddha Purnima A National Holiday?

No, Buddha Purnima is not a national holiday. It is a gazetted holiday in India, therefore, government offices, post offices, and banking institutions will remain closed. This holiday is observed prominently in regions such as Sikkim, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bodhgaya, Spiti district, Kinnaur, and various parts of North Bengal, including Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Kurseong. Additionally, it is celebrated in Maharashtra, which is home to 77% of India's Buddhist population. 

On this day, Buddhists congregate at Viharas to partake in a protracted Buddhist sutra, which is akin to a religious ceremony. Buddhist devotees visit Buddha temples, pray, light candles and incense sticks, and present fruits and sweets to the statue of the Lord. 

People usually dress in white, do not consume non-vegetarian food and distribute kheer, as according to Buddhist lore, on this day a woman named Sujata offered Buddha a bowl of milk porridge. Many followers also free caged birds on this day as a symbol of empathy and compassion for all living beings, one of the most important teachings of Lord Buddha.

Buddha is said to have given his first sermon after gaining enlightenment in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, a popular Buddhist pilgrimage site in India. Every year, a sizable fair is held there. Also, the relics of Buddha are taken out for public display in a procession. 

Important Days and Dates in May 2024