Buddhist Festivals

India is a land of different religions and different cultures. There is freedom for each religion to prosper and follow its rituals and cultures. Throughout the year there is some kind of festival going on in India . Buddhist festivals are also part of Indian culture. Buddhism is minority religion in India . India is a country which is blessed with origin of Buddhism.

India is the land of Buddha and Buddhist festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm in India . Days which are related to the life Lord Buddha are regarded as Buddhist festival. Then days which celebrate teachings and spiritual community of Buddha are also regarded as the Buddha festivals. These festivals are the days to rejoice for Buddhist community.

Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima is one of the most important Buddhist festivals. It is the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. It is celebrated on the full moon day in Vaisakh month, according to Hindu calendar. It falls in the month April or May. He was born as Prince Siddarth and later he achieved enlightenment on very same day and became Lord Buddha. On the very same day, he attained parinibbana and left this earth.

Losar is the occasion of Tibetan New Year which is celebrated with great excitement in Buddhist community. This is the day to visit temples, greet family and friends. On this day all the people get together, sing, dance and eat together.

Hemis Fair is one of the most famous events of Buddhist community. It is held in Hemis monastery in Ladakh in J& K. This festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Indian sage Guru Padmasambhava. He worked for spread of Buddhism in Tibet . Monks beat drums, perform mask dances and other sacred activities.

Festival of Ullambanais celebrated in most of the countries where Buddhism is practiced including China , Japan , India and Malaysia . It is believed that on that day Gates of Hell open and dead can enter earth to meet their relatives. This festival is celebrated on the 15 th day of seventh lunar month.