Buddha Purnima, also known as 'Buddha Jayanti', celebrates the birthday of Lord Buddha.
Kheer, a sweet rice porridge is also commonly served to recall the story of Sujata, a maiden who offered the Buddha a bowl of milk porridge.
Visitors to the temple pour water over the statue. This symbolizes a pure and new beginning.
Monks and devotees meditate and worship the statue of Gautam Buddha. The Buddhist devotees also offer fruits, flowers, candles etc to statues of Lord Buddha.
Many Buddhists visit temples on Buddha Jayanti to listen to monks give talks and recite ancient verses.
Special prayers are organized under the Bodhi Tree (the tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment).
Activities include prayer meets, sermons and religious discourses, recitation of Buddhist scriptures, group meditation, processions, and worship of the statue of Buddha.
Buddha Jayanti is celebrated at the various Buddhist sites across India, particularly at Bodhgaya, Nepal, Assam, Sikkim, Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and also Sarnath near Varanasi.
On the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, a large fair is held at Sarnath and the relics of the Buddha are taken out for public display in a procession.
Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment and nirvana or salvation on the same day, that is a Full Moon day and hence, Buddha Purnima also marks the death anniversary of Gautam Buddha.
Wesak Day, one of the holiest days for Buddhists, offers an opportunity for all followers to come together and celebrate.
It is believed that Lord Buddha was born on the Full Moon day in the month of Vaisakh in 563 BC.
Buddha Purnima is held on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Vaisakh.
It is the most sacred Buddhist festival that commemorates Lord Buddha's enlightenment and death.