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Buddha Jayanti is a special day that is celebrated in Nepal to honor the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Lord Gautam Buddha. It is one of the most important festivals for Buddhists all over the world and is celebrated with great respect in Nepal, especially in places like Lumbini (where Buddha was born) and Boudhanath in Kathmandu.
On this day, people celebrate this day by wearing white clothes and giving kheer (a sweet rice pudding) as a tradition. This practice comes from a story where a woman named Sujata gave Buddha kheer on his birthday. Many or all temples and monasteries are decorated beautifully, and many devotees light lamps, chant prayers, and make donations to help those in need.
If you have come to Nepal for Buddha Jayanti or luckily visited during or around this time, going to places like Lumbini and Swayambhunath can be an unforgettable experience. For a comfortable and enjoyable stay in Kathmandu to experience Buddha Jayanti, stay at our Taleju Boutique Hotel which is located in Thamel, Kathmandu , our hotel provides a great place to relax while exploring the city's rich Buddhist heritage.
Buddha Jayanti which is also known as Buddha Purnima or Vesak, is the most important Buddhist festival, this festival marks the birth, enlightenment, and nirvana (passing away) of Lord Gautama Buddha. It is celebrated worldwide by Buddhists, particularly in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and other countries that have Buddhist populations.
Buddha Jayanti celebrates the life of Lord Siddhartha Gautama, who was born as a prince in Lumbini (modern-day Nepal) in 623 BCE. He gave up his royal life in the search of truth and enlightenment. After years of meditation and self-discovery, he gained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, becoming the Buddha—the "Awakened One." Later, he spent his life teaching the Dharma (Buddhist teachings) until his passing.
This festival is special because it honors three major events in Buddha’s life:
Birth – Lord Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini.
Enlightenment – He attained enlightenment at the age of 35 under the Bodhi tree.
Nirvana (Parinirvana) – He passed away at the age of 80, attaining liberation.
Temple Visits & Prayers: Devotees visit temples and monasteries to offer prayers and chant Buddhist scriptures.
Meditation & Reflection: Buddhists participate in meditation, focusing on the teachings of the Buddha.
Acts of Kindness & Charity: Many people give donations to the poor, they donate food, and engage in other charitable acts.
Rituals & Processions: In some countries, processions with Buddha images take place. Temples are decorated, and lamps are lit to symbolize wisdom.
In Nepal and India, devotees fast, pray, and participate in community service. Sri Lanka is known for its grand lantern displays and processions. Thailand holds candlelit processions in temples, while Japan celebrates the festival as Hanamatsuri, where Buddha statues are bathed with sweet tea.
Buddha Jayanti is a public holiday in several Buddhist-majority countries and is also recognized by the United Nations as "Vesak"—an international day of observance.
This special and sacred day serves as a reminder of Buddha’s teachings on peace, wisdom, and compassion, encouraging followers to live a life of mindfulness and kindness.
Buddha Jayanti is one of the most important festivals in Nepal which is observed on the full moon day of the Nepali month of Baishakh (April or May) and is often called the Thrice Blessed Day because all three events happened on the same day.
Spiritual Significance – This day reminds people of Buddha’s teachings, teaching that focus on peace, kindness, and enlightenment. His wisdom teaches people to live a life free from suffering by following the Eightfold Path. ]
Cultural and National Importance – Though Nepal is mainly a Hindu country, still Buddha Jayanti is a festival that is celebrated widely by both Buddhists and Hindus. It unites people from different backgrounds, showing Nepal’s rich cultural diversity.
Celebrations in Nepal – The most famous celebration of Buddha Jayanti takes place in Lumbini, which is Buddha’s birthplace, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Other places like Boudhanath and Swayambhunath in Kathmandu also host grand ceremonies. Temples are decorated, monks chant prayers, and devotees light lamps as a sign of understanding.
Acts of Kindness and Charity – On this day, people give to the poor, donate food, and help others. This follows Buddha’s teaching of compassion and selflessness.
For visitors staying in Nepal during this festival, you can stay at our Taleju Boutique Hotel which offers you with a comfortable and peaceful stay. Our hotel allows guests to experience the spiritual essence of Buddha Jayanti while being close to key Buddhist sites like Boudhanath and Swayambhunath in Kathmandu.
Buddha Jayanti is a festival that is celebrated in Nepal on the full moon day of the Baisakh month (usually in April or May), this festival marks the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana (final passing away) of Lord Gautam Buddha. This is an important day for Buddhists and even Hindus, with celebrations done across the whole country, especially in places that are closely related to Buddha's life, like Lumbini, his birthplace.
In Nepal, the day is seen with great respect, where special prayers, rituals, and processions are done. The Newar community in Nepal, specially the Shakya clan, calls this day "Swanya Punhi" (which means full moon day of flowers) and holds this day in high value. People visit Buddhist monasteries and Temples to chant sutras, offer prayers, and look back on Buddha's teachings of peace, harmony, and non-violence. In Lumbini, where Buddha was born, celebrations are grand, which attracts both locals and travellers.
Buddha Jayanti is more than just a simple day to celebrate as a festival; it is a day that reminds us of the continued teachings of Lord Gautama Buddha. The festival provides a chance for people to look back on the importance of peace, compassion, and self-awareness.
In Nepal, Buddha Jayanti is a special day that brings together people from different cultural backgrounds from all parts of Nepal. It increases acts of charity, unity, and meditation, providing a look into the harmonious coexistence of different religions and practices in Nepal.
As visitors to experience the festivities in Nepal, you can immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of prayer, meditation, and cultural richness that surrounds Buddha Jayanti. Whether you are visiting the holy sites of Lumbini, or the busy streets of Kathmandu, or staying at our Taleju Boutique Hotel by booking a room to enjoy this festival to the fullest while also having the best place in Thamel to stay and create even more amazing memories, the festival provides you with a unique opportunity to connect with the sacred heart of Nepal.
