Commemorating Buddha Jayanti

The 2560^th birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha is being celebrated today across the world. The Buddha Jayanti is also known Buddha Purnima and is celebrated on a full moon day of Baisakh, a lunar calendar month. The festival is a traditional occasion celebrated with to commemorate the holy Gautam Buddha who was the founder of Buddhism. 

Reports are that that Nepal government had organized a special ceremony to mark the birthday in Lumbini, the place where Buddha was born. President Bidya Devi Bhandari will attend the programme as the Chief Guest. Apart from delegates of Nepal, as many as more 28 countries are attending in the celebration, mostly from the Southeast Asian nations. Buddha Purnima is a public holiday in many countries, including China, India, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and South Vietnam.

The Southeast Asian countries also have majority of people practicing Buddhism.  Thes countries are also said to celebrate the day accordingly. Buddha is known for peace, compassion and non-violence. Born and brought up in a royal family, King Suddhodhan of the Shakya dynasty and Queen Mayadevi in 563 BC, he was called Siddhartha in her early days before he was enlightened.

Buddha Jayanti was celebrated by Buddhist people by visiting a Vihar and commemorate summons. Normally Buddhist people consume non-vegetarian food on that day, including daily dish Kheer.

According to sources, Nepal government first declared Buddha Jayanti a public holiday on May 22, 1951. Animal sacrifices are prohibited throughout the country on that day. The United Nations has also been observing Buddha Jayanti as a public holiday since 2002.