BUDDHA PURNIMA
Date : Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the Buddha is widely celebrated, on a full moon night in April / May. The Buddha achieved enlightenment as well as nirvana on the same date. Prince Siddharth or Buddha was born in the month of Vaisakh in 563 BC. It is also believed that Yashodara, Siddharth's wife, his charioteer Channa and even his horse Kantaka were born on the same day.
Legend : Prince Siddharth was born in Lumbini after his mother dreamt of a divine light entering her womb. Siddharth was sheltered from the trials and pains of life by his father but one day the prince went out of the palace with his charioteer, Channa, to see the world outside. He saw poverty, disease and death and was deeply moved by these sights. He became restless and tried to seek the truth behind this eternal cycle of life and death. He left his palace, his wife and child and became an ascetic. He searched for the truth and the reason for the misery of mankind. He attained enlightenment under a Banyan tree in Bodh Gaya, a small town in Bihar.
Practice : On this day, Buddhists offer prayers in their temples. Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh and Bodh Gaya in Bihar are the main centres of celebration.
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