Top Most Buddhist Festivals in India

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Top Most Buddhist Festivals in India
Buddhist religion is considered one of the most
profound religions in the world. The religion
arose in India after Gautam Buddha achieved
enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi
tree. He later traveled to other parts of India
which led to the spread of Buddhist religion. The
three basic teachings of Buddhist religion -
peace, detachment, and non-violence are what set
this religion apart from the other religions. The
main reason for its popularity is its ability to
offer solutions from the problems of the modern
world. Buddhist festivals possess a rare
magnetism which leaves the tourists enthralled
with their vibrancy. These festivals are an ideal
opportunity to witness the richness of Buddhist
culture. For this reason, the list of Buddhist
festivals attracts a great number of tourists
every year. In fact, many tour agencies offer
special Buddhist festivals package to entice
travelers.
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1. Losar Festival
Losar festival is celebrated to mark Tibetan New
Year in Ladakh. The festival draws a large number
of Buddhist pilgrims. In this festival, people
from different parts of India participate to get
a close-up experience of Buddhist culture. Folk
dancers
and artists contribute to the festival by giving
special performances which win the hearts of the
visitors. The most striking part of Losar
festival is chaam dance which signifies victory
of good over evil. This occasion takes place on
11th lunar month of the year.
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2. Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima is the most sacred festival of
Buddhist which celebrates the birth of Gautam
Buddha. On this day, Buddhists temples and
shrines all over India are decked with
flowers and incense. All devotees go to the
temple to pay homage to Lord Buddha, This
festival falls on the day of the full moon in
April or May.
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3. Ullambana
Also regarded as the ghost festival, Ullambana
festival holds a special place in the Buddhist
religion. The festival has its roots in Ullambana
Sutra in which Lord Buddha saved the mother of
his disciple from a ghost. Since
then, the festival is enthusiastically celebrated
by Buddhists in order to save people afflicted
from evil powers. This occasion takes place on
15th day of 7th month of the lunar calendar.
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4. Hemis Festival
This festival celebrates the birth of
Padmasambhava, an Indian sage who had
spread Buddhism in Tibet. The eye-catching part
is different types of folk dances that are
performed like the sacred mask
dance, the Chaam and monks dance. Held in Hemis
monastery in Ladakh, it is the most awaited event
and people of Ladakh start preparing for the
festival months in advance. This occasion takes
place on 10th day of the lunar calendar.
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5. Magha Puja Day
This festival is also known as Sangha day and is
celebrated to honor the Buddhist community. Magha
Puja day lets the Buddhists reconnect with the
age-old customs and practices of the Buddhist
religion.
Recitation of the Patimokkha or sermon which was
delivered by Buddha is carried out on this day.
This festival falls on full moon day of the third
month in March. People exchange gifts, light
lamps and observe meditation and chanting which
adds a bright sheen to the festival.
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6. Pavarana Day
This festival is celebrated to mark the end of
the three months of vassa or rains retreat. The
monks confine themselves in a shelter during this
period and hold discussions on important aspects
of monastic life which helps them build better
connection within the
community. This occasion takes place on full moon
day of the 11th lunar month. People belonging to
Buddhist religion celebrate this festival by
distributing alms and food to the monks in a
temple.
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7. Asalha Puja Day
Asalha Puja day is also referred to as Dhamma day
and is usually a festival of Theravada Buddhists.
Buddha taught his followers about the future
teaching and essence of what he learned. This
festival also signifies the beginning of three
months of long
rainfall. The festival falls on the full moon of
the eighth lunar month. The day is spent by
reciting the eight precepts of Buddhism, holding
spiritual sermons and carrying out chants and
meditation.
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8. Lumbini festival
The Lumbini festival is a three days long event
held in Nagarjunasagar in Andhra Pradesh. It is
considered to be an important festival among the
Buddhists as it symbolizes the rich heritage
of Buddhism religion. The festival is named after
the birthplace
of Lord Buddha. It is organized by Andhra Pradesh
Tourism ministry to boost tourism within the
state and also intends to give a platform to
budding artisans and craftsmen from the state to
showcase their talents.
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9. Rumtek Chaam
Rumtek Chaam festival is a dance festival
celebrated in Gangtok, two days prior to
the Tibetan New Year. The festival pays homage
to Guru Padmasambhava who brought the religion in
Sikkim through enactments of the eight teachings
of
Guru Padmasambhava. The dances performed during
this festival portray the life of Guru Rinpoche
and his fight against evil forces. The festival
is celebrated in the Rumtek monastery on the
tenth day of the fifth month of the lunar
calendar.
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10. Tamu Lhochhar
Tamu Lhochhar is the greatest festival celebrated
by Mahayana sect of Buddhist religion to signify
the start of Gurung New Year. The Gurung
community in Sikkim and other neighboring places
in the northeastern side of India observe the
festival with great zeal.
The day is considered auspicious to receive the
blessings of elder family members. The day falls
on every 15th Paush of Nepali calendar. Tamu
Lhochhar is the best way to view the richness of
Gurung culture.
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