Buddhi Jayanti Festival in Bodhgaya – celebrating the life of Buddha

Buddha Jayanthi is a Buddhist festival that commemorates the birth, death and enlightens of Lord Buddha. The date usually falls in late April or May on a full moon night. The celebration takes place in Bodhgaya in India where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. There are prayers, reading of scriptures, processions and much more during this celebration.
Some temples display the statue of Lord Buddha as a baby, that is placed in a small pond decorated with flowers. As part of the ritual, the devotees pour water on this statue to symbolize new beginnings. The statues are then worshipped with offerings of flowers and incense. During this time the faithful take the words of Buddha very seriously and engage in good deeds such as freeing caged animals and helping the poor and elderly. Tourists staying Oaks Bodhgaya or any other hotel in Bodhgaya at this time of the year are able to witness the colourful festivities.