Celebrations and Rituals

• The main celebrations of Buddha Poornima take place in Bodh Gaya. On this day, large number of Buddhist devotees from all over the world assemble to pay their respectful homage to Lord Buddha. Besides decorating the temple and area around with colourful Buddhist flags.
• The Morning Prayer, colorful procession of the Monks, worship with large offerings, distribution of sweets and snacks takes place.
• In other places Prayers, sermons and non-stop recitations of Buddhist scriptures resonate in monasteries, religious halls and homes. On this day the Buddhists bathe and wear only white clothes. People offer incense, flowers, candles and fruits to the statue of Lord Buddha. They spend their entire day listening to discourses on the life and teachings of the Buddha.
• At Bodhgaya, the Mahabodhi Temple wears a festive look and is decorated with colourful flags and flowers. Special prayers are organized under the Bodhi Tree (the tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment).
• The National Museum in New Delhi also brings the mortal remains of Buddha (what are believed to be some of his bones and ashes) out for public viewing on Buddha Poornima
• On Buddha Poornima, they set up stalls in public places to offer others clean drinking water and also show kindness to animals
• Buddha Poornima is an extremely peaceful and uplifting occasion
• According to a Buddhist legend, Buddha’s wife Yashodhara, his first disciple Ananda, his charioteer Channa, and the horse Kantaka on which he renounced his kingdom to ‘find some answers to life’, were all born on the sacred day of Buddha Poornima, also known as Buddha Jayanti.