The Background
This
is the most important festival for Buddhists.It's celeberated with great
enthusiasm on Purnima ( Full Moon Day) of a particular hindu month
Vaishaakha (April-May). The life of their supreme spiritual redeemer Lord
Buddha evolved around this day. He was born on this day and his Nirvana also
occured on this very day. Not only this, he also attained the Enlightenment
on the same day. However, there is not a concensus among Buddhists about
this three fold coincidence. Some Buddhists,except Theravadas celebrate
these events on different dates.
This day is known as Vesak among Theravadas ( An orthodox sect of Buddhists
). Tibetan call it Sa-Ga Zla-Ba and Sri Lankans call it Vishakha Pujain.Saga
Dasa in Sikkim,Vishakha Bucha in Thiland, Phat Dan in Vietnam,Waisak in
Indonesia.
According to Buddhist mythology, Buddha's wife Yashodhara, his first
disciple Ananda, His Charioteer Channa and his horse Kantaka on which he
left his home, the tree ( Boddhi tree ) under this he attained Sambodhi
(Enlighenment). He also gave his first sermon or 'Dhamma Chakka Pavattan' in
Pali Texts on this day at Varanasi.
The Celebration
Prayers, sermons, recitation of Buddhist scripture are the main activities.
Monks, and devoties meditate and worship Buddha. Fruits and flowers are
offered to his statue and to the Bodhi Tree ( Peepal ). The branches of the
trees are garlanded and decorated. Lamps are lit around the tree. Milk and
scented waters are sprinkled on it's roots.
The devotees of this religion wear only white clothes and give alms to the
monks. They listen to the discourses and reaffirm their faith in the five
basic principles of Buddhism,Panchsheel. They don't take meat on this
auspicious day.Kheer ( sweet dish of milk and rice) is prepared.They
distribute food and clothes to poor and free birds from cages.
The Rainbow
» In India : This is celebrated with great funfare
in this land of Buddha himself. Some most important Buddist pilgrimages are
in India. Uruvela ( Modern Bodh Gaya ), the site of his
enlightenment;Sarnath, the place of his first sermon;Kushinagar, where he
passed away; Sanchi Stupa and Ajanta Caves are among them. Buddhists in
India and the tourists from rest of the world gather here and celebrate this
festival with great excitement and devotion.
» In Nepal : The birth place of Lord Buddha is at
Lumbini near Shakyan capital of Kapilvastu. Some of the stupas built by king
Ashoka still remain here. Svayambhunath and Bodhnath (Kathmandu) are some of
them. This festival is also celebrated here.
Ajanta
Caves 
Ajanta
Ellora Excursion
