Buddha Purnima – 2588th Birth Anniversary of Gautama Buddha on 01 – 05 – 2026
The Purnima Tithi (full moon) begins on April 30, 2026, at 09:12 PM and ends on May 1, 2026, at 10:52 PM.
Buddha
Purnima is also known as Vesak. The word “Vesak” comes from Pali / Sanskrit “Vesākha”
(वैशाख). It refers to the month of Vaishakha, which
falls around April–May. Vesak = the full moon day of the month of Vaishakha.
The term “Vesak” is widely used in countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar,
and other Buddhist regions. In India, it is more commonly called Buddha
Purnima, but both refer to the same sacred day.
Buddha
Purnima is one of the most sacred days for millions across the world. It
commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha—all
believed to have occurred on this full moon day.
Celebrated
with deep reverence, the day reminds humanity of the timeless teachings of the
Buddha—compassion, non-violence, mindfulness, and the pursuit of truth.
Devotees visit monasteries, offer prayers, light lamps, and reflect upon the
path of righteousness and inner awakening.
In places
like Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment under the sacred Bodhi
tree, the atmosphere is filled with spiritual fervor and serenity.
On this
auspicious Buddha Purnima, may we pause to reflect, cultivate peace within, and
extend kindness to all beings.
In a
world often restless, the Buddha’s message remains a guiding light—“Peace comes
from within. Do not seek it without.”
E-Touch
wishes all its readers a serene and enlightened Buddha Purnima.
SOME MORE DETAILS ABOUT BUDDHA:
Between 563 and 483 BCE
Siddhartha who became Gautama
Buddha is believed to have been born at Lumbini, Nepal. He was born to Queen
Maya Devi and his father was King Suddhodana. The Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini
marks the site of Budha’s birth. The precise date of his passing is unknown. He
was said to have left his body in Khushinagar.
Kushinagar
is a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in
northern India. It is here that Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained
Mahaparinirvana (final liberation) after his earthly life.
Kushinagar
lies near the town of Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the four
main pilgrimage sites in Buddhism (the others being Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, and
Sarnath).The famous Mahaparinirvana Temple houses a large reclining statue of
the Buddha, symbolizing his final passing.
Ramabhar Stupa also
known as the Muktbandhan Chaitya, is an
ancient Buddhist monument located in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. It marks
the cremation site of Gautama Buddha, one of the most sacred locations in the
Buddhist world. The stupa attracts pilgrims and visitors from across the globe
as part of the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit.
Mahaparinirvana Temple at Kushinagar—the sacred place where Gautama
Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana:
The
reclining Buddha statue (about 6.1 meters long) inside the temple is the main
highlight. Buddha is shown lying on his right side, symbolizing his final
passing (Mahaparinirvana). The temple exterior is simple and not highly ornate,
unlike many modern Buddhist shrines. The present structure was rebuilt in 1956
to commemorate 2500 years of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana.
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