Buddh Poornima

The Festival

There are a number of things that are done on this festival, for different occasions there are different rituals. Like on the Buddha's birth day - birds are freed; sweets, fruit and food are distributed, Kangyur is read out and meat is abstained from eating. Lamps are lit from the early morning and recitation of the holy scriptures begans.

On the day of the enlightenment, the Bodh tree is decorated, the Kangyur is read and meat is abstained from eating. Then there is a colorful procession that is carried out through the streets of the city with rabdungs and gyalings (musical instruments). In addition to this lectures and prayers are held throughout the city grounds and monasteries. On this day various cultural programmes are also celebrated like the martial arts and art forms. It is the most spectacular things of the festival, from the morning to the evening this show goes on.( Its a must see thing. If you are here during this festival don't miss it out,you won't find anything like this!).

Then comes the day when Buddha achieved Nirvana – the day when his soul combined with that of the God's. This day is observed comparatively in silence. Again, the holy book- Kangyur is read, teachings of Buddha are spread out and food is distributed. A silence prevails this day as compared to the other celebrations.