Srilanka to host the 14th International Day of Vesak : Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima alias Vesak Day is a festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Gautam Buddha, known as Prince Siddhartha Gautama before enlightenment. It falls  n the full-moon day of Vaishakh month as per the Hindu calendar (April/May) and Theravada Buddhism culture. On this tranquil day, we commemorate this realised soul, who once walked on this very earth to spread his preaching which eventually formed Buddhism.

In Hindu folklores Buddha is said to be the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and his birthday, Buddha Purnima is fervently celebrated in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Korea, Laos, Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Burma and Indonesia.

The culture of Buddhism and its essence of serenity are reflected in the Buddha Purnima ceremonies. Devotees celebrate this wondrous day by lighting incense sticks, praying, chanting distributing sweets and fruits and in Indian regions like Gaya, Kushinagar, Sikkim, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, North Bengal the festival is observed with mass prayers and street processions with the statue of the Lord. In Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, a fair is organised to honour him every year since Buddha delivered his first preaching after enlightenment at this location.

On this grandeur eve, Sri Lanka will be hosting the biggest event of Vesak Day with cultural activities and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling to Colombo to attend the festivity. Srilanka is the host for the 14th UN International Day of Vesak and between 12th to 14th May lot of festivities are being scheduled to celebrate the same. Famous sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik will be making a sand sculpture of Lord Buddha, which he aims to be the largest in the world.

May the world glow with the path of peace that was preached by Buddha.

Happy Buddha Purnima to you and your family from team CY!