Buddha Jayanti / Purnima

Location: All over Nepal

Date: May 9th, 2009

Buddha Jayanti celebrates the three most important events in Gautam Buddha's life: his birth, his attainment of enlightenment and ‘nirvana’ or his departure from the mortal world. It is widely celebrated on a full moon night in Baisakh (April / May).

A fair is held in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. There are celebrations in Swayambhunath, Bodhnath and Patan. There are also mask dances in Swayambhunath stupa. There are prayers, sermons and non-stop recitations of Buddhist scriptures resonate in monasteries, religious halls and stupas around the country, especially in Lumbini. People offer incense, flowers, candles and fruits. The Banyan tree - called the Bodhi tree for its part in Buddha's enlightenment - also receives a fair share of garlands and colorful prayer flags adorn it. People also sprinkle milk and scented waters on its roots and light rows of lamps around it.