The birthday of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is celebrated as Buddha Purnima across the world. In Theravada Buddhism, it is also observed as the day Buddha, born as prince Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563-483 BCE), attained Nirvana (salvation) under the Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, Bihar, and as his death anniversary. Monks light candles and pray to Buddha statue in Phan Tao temple , Chiang mai ,Thailand. (Shutterstock)Devotees visit temples, light candles and incense sticks, pray and offer sweets and fruits before the statue of Lord Buddha. (Shutterstock)In India, a large fair is held in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, a major Buddhist pilgrimage site where Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.

Source: Hindustan Times May 10, 2017 04:52 UTC