Buddha Purnima: History, Date & Significance
Buddha Purnima is the full moon of Boishakh. By tradition the birth, enlightenment and passing of Gautama Buddha all happened on this full-moon day. Monasteries across Bangladesh, especially in Chattogram and the Hill Tracts, fill with worshippers for prayers and processions.
Buddha Purnima 2027: Date
- English Date
- Thursday, May 20, 2027
- Bengali Date
- 6 Joishtha 1434
- Hijri Date
- 13 Dhu al-Hijjah 1448 AH
- Days Left
- 227 days
Traditional almanac timings for 1434
Dates and windows by the Surya Siddhanta panjika used in Bengal. They can differ from official holiday dates by a day.
Buddha Purnima — Thu, May 20, 2027
Full panjika for that day →
History of Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima, known around the world as Vesak, remembers three events in the life of Gautama Buddha: his birth at Lumbini, his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, and his parinirvana, or passing, at Kushinagar. All three are believed to have happened on the full moon of the month of Vaisakha. It is the holiest day of the Buddhist calendar.
Buddhism flourished in Bengal for centuries. The Pala empire, the ruins of the Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur and the ancient vihara at Mainamati are all part of that history. Today the Buddhist communities of Bangladesh, among them the Barua, Chakma and Marma of Chattogram and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, observe Buddha Purnima as their greatest festival, and the day is a national public holiday.
How Buddha Purnima Is Celebrated
- Dawn prayers, hoisting of the Buddhist flag, and chanting of the sutras at monasteries
- Offering flowers, candles, and incense before images of the Buddha
- Bathing the Buddha image and processions around the vihara
- Alms-giving to monks and charity for the poor
- Lighting lamps and lanterns at monasteries in the evening
Buddha Purnima Dates for the Next 5 Years
| Year | Date | Day | Bengali Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* | May 20, 2027 | Thursday | 6 Joishtha 1434 |
| 2028* | May 8, 2028 | Monday | 25 Boishakh 1435 |
| 2029* | May 27, 2029 | Sunday | 13 Joishtha 1436 |
| 2030* | May 17, 2030 | Friday | 3 Joishtha 1437 |
| 2031* | May 7, 2031 | Wednesday | 24 Boishakh 1438 |
* Dates for coming years are calculated and may change when the government announces its holiday list.
Frequently Asked Questions
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