Importance of Buddha Purnima : 25th May 2013

• Buddha Poornima, which falls on the full moon night in the month of Vaisakha (either in April or May), memorialises the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism.
• The birth, attainment to Buddhahood, and passing away: all occurred on the full moon day of May in different years. Hence, this Vesak full moon day is highly esteemed by Buddhist all over the world as a reminder of these most important events.
• Pilgrims come from all over the world to Bodh Gaya to attend the Buddha Poornima celebrations.
• The day is marked with prayer meets, sermons on the life of Gautam Buddha, religious discourses, continuous recitation of Buddhist scriptures, group meditation, processions, worship of the statue of Buddha.
• The Mahabodhi Temple wears a festive look and is decorated with colourful flags and flowers.
• Vaisaka Purnima is celebrated especially in Boddha Gaya, Lumbini and in Kushinara as they are the holy places that were connected with the blessed ones birth, enlighten and the Parinirvana.
• Buddhists in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Nepal, Japan and quite a number of western Buddhists participate 'Vaisaka' Purnima Day religious activities in a festive mood.
• Sarnath the capital of Buddhism too celebrates Vaisaka Purnima day in a grand way.
• Sarnath holds an important place in Buddhism as Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath.
• 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. 
• The Buddha Purnima celebrations at Sarnath attract large Buddhist crowds as Buddhists offer prayers in different Buddhist temples at Sarnath on this day. 
• Prayers, sermons, recitation of Buddhist scriptures are other important religious activities performed by the Buddhists at Sarnath. 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.