Buddha Purnima 2026: Date, Significance, Buddhist Traditions and Source Details

Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, is the most important festival in the Buddhist calendar. It marks three momentous events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama — his birth, his attainment of enlightenment (Bodhi), and his passing away (Parinirvana) — all believed to have occurred on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Vaishakha month. It is observed by Buddhists worldwide and is a public holiday in India.

Buddha Purnima commemorates the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha (the Awakened One) upon attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya. The Buddha's teachings (Dhamma) — centred on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path — form the foundation of Buddhism. The festival is a time to reflect on these teachings, practise compassion, and make merit through prayer, meditation and charitable acts. Detailed significance and teachings will be sourced from Buddhist tradition references and reviewed before publication.