Buddha Purnima Celebrated in Bodhgaya – An Important Day for Buddhists

An important day for Buddhist devotees, Buddha Purnima was celebrated last month at various sacred sites in India including Bodhgaya. Also known as Buddha Jayanti or Vesak, this annual event fell on 18th May 2019 and commemorated the birth, enlightenment and “parinibbana” (nirvana-after-death) of Gautama Buddha. One of the key sites in Bodhgaya where religious observances took place was at the Mahabodhi Temple.

This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Lord Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment, specifically under a Bodhi tree where prayers were held during Buddha Purnima. The site which is near Oaks Bodhgaya has become a popular place for devotees to visit including those making a pilgrimage from abroad and staying at a nearby hotel in Bodhgaya. Apart from here, Buddha Purnima rituals also took place at Sarnath, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.