Festivals / Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima

Vaishakha Purnima · Gautama Buddha

Next
Thursday, 20 May 2027
Also known as Vesak, Vaishakha Purnima

Significance

The full-moon day honouring the Buddha — traditionally his birth, enlightenment, and passing, all on the same lunar day.

The story behind Buddha Purnima

Under a full moon Siddhartha was born; under another, years later and after long striving, he awakened beneath the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya; and under a full moon he attained final peace. Vaishakha Purnima gathers all three, a day of light for a teacher of the middle way.

How Buddha Purnima is observed

  • Meditation, and listening to the Buddha's teachings.
  • Offering flowers, lamps, and incense at the vihara.
  • Acts of compassion — charity, and abstaining from harm.
  • Bathing the infant-Buddha image in some traditions.

Puja Vidhi & Prayers

Watch the step-by-step puja vidhi, aarti, and prayers for Buddha Purnima.

▶ Watch Buddha Purnima Puja Vidhi & Prayers on YouTube
How the date is fixed: Observed on the Purnima of Vaishakha.

Buddha Purnima dates (2015–2035)

YearDateDay
20154 May 2015Monday
201621 May 2016Saturday
201710 May 2017Wednesday
201829 May 2018Tuesday
201918 May 2019Saturday
20207 May 2020Thursday
202126 May 2021Wednesday
202216 May 2022Monday
20235 May 2023Friday
202423 May 2024Thursday
202512 May 2025Monday
202631 May 2026Sunday
202720 May 2027Thursday
20288 May 2028Monday
202927 May 2029Sunday
203017 May 2030Friday
20317 May 2031Wednesday
203225 May 2032Tuesday
203314 May 2033Saturday
20343 May 2034Wednesday
203522 May 2035Tuesday

Dates are computed from precise sidereal (Lahiri) astronomy for a New Delhi reference and may vary by ±1 day for some evening/midnight festivals depending on your location and regional tradition — the timings above adjust to where you are.