Vaishakha Purnima (Buddha Purnima) वैशाख पूर्णिमा (बुद्ध पूर्णिमा)
Vaishakha • Purnima
Also known as: Buddha Jayanti, Vesak
Story — Significance of Vaishakha Purnima (Buddha Purnima)
Lord Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and mahaparinirvana all happened on this Purnima — making it the most sacred day of the Buddhist calendar. Hindus also revere Buddha as the 9th avatar of Vishnu.
Benefit
Liberation; enlightenment; merit of all Vishnu Purnimas combined
Special Note
Government holiday in India. Celebrated grandly at Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Lumbini.
Vrat Vidhi (Procedure)
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1
Pre-Sunrise Bath
Wake before sunrise. Take a holy bath — ideally in a sacred river, otherwise add Ganga jal to water. Wear clean white or yellow clothes.
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2
Satyanarayan Vrat (most common)
Setup a kalash, Vishnu/Satyanarayan murti or photo. Offer panchamrit, banana, panchamrit prasad (banana-flour-jaggery-ghee mix). Recite the 5 chapters of Satyanarayan Katha. Distribute prasad.
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3
Day Observance
Maintain saatvik food. No grains in some traditions; others permit one full meal. Visit a temple, give donations, feed Brahmins. Practice Vishnu Sahasranama or naam-japa.
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4
Moonlight Offering
After moonrise, offer arghya (water libation) to the Moon. Place kheer or sweet rice in moonlight to absorb lunar nectar (especially on Sharad Purnima). View the moon with reverence — Purnima is the day to gaze at the Moon as a deity.
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5
Charity
Donate white items: rice, milk, sugar, white cloth, silver. Feed cows. Light lamps in temple — 108 lamps is especially meritorious.
Mantras
Browse all Purnima dates for the year: