Buddha Purnima 2020: Date, time & significance

NEW DELHI: Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanti, is an auspicious day that marks the birth anniversary of

Prince Siddhartha Gautama

who later became 'Lord Gautama Buddha'. He was founder of the Buddhism religion.


Buddha Purnima falls on a full moon night usually between April or May. The festival of Buddha Purnima is celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists of India and other Asian countries.

Buddha Purnima 2020 Date & Time
This year, the festival of Buddha Purnima will be observed on May 7, 2020. The shubh muhurat (auspicious time) for Buddha Purnima starts at 7.44 pm on May 6 and concludes at 4.14 pm on May 7.

Buddha Purnima Significance
In India, devotees of Gautama Buddha prefer to wear white clothes and avoid consuming non-vegetarian food. Buddhist lamas on this day offer prayers before the statue of The Lord Buddha.

Usually, the day sees colourful processions by Buddhists from the surrounding communities to the pagodas (a Hindu/Buddhist temple typically in the form of a many-tiered tower). People pour water at the foot of the

Bodhi Tree

(sacred tree), give alms and practise meditation.

Many devotees visit Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, on the occassion of Buddha Purnima.

Bodhi Temple

is the location where the Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.