Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima, a key Buddhist festival in India, celebrates Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death. Observed on the first full moon of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, its date varies annually in the Gregorian calendar, usually falling in May. This full moon is especially significant as it marks Buddha’s birth, attainment of nirvana, and parinirvana (nirvana after death). On this day, people wear white and share kheer (rice pudding), a tradition inspired by the legend of Sujata, who offered Buddha kheer on his birthday.