2561st Buddha Jayanti being observed today (with video)

Published On: May 10, 2017 01:37 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, May 10: The 2561st Buddha Jayanti, is being celebrated today throughout the world by paying homage to Lord Buddha.

Buddha Jayanti falls on the full moon day in Baisakh, the first month in Nepali Calender. Lord Buddha was born, enlightened and died on the full moon day in the month of Baisakh.

On the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, devotees throng four historic places associated with Buddha-Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Rishi Patan and Kushinagar.

Buddha was born in Lumbini, enlightened in Bodhgaya , started preaching sermons in Rishipatan and died in Kushinagar.

Buddha Jayanti is being celebrated as public holiday since May 22, 1952 when the then government declared it as a public holiday.

Likewise, the United Nations declared Buddha Jayanti as a public holiday since 2002.

Buddha was born into a royal family in 563 BC. He started leading a ascetic life at the age of 29. He was enlightened at the age of 35 after six years of deep meditation. He started disseminating his knowledge gained as the result of six-year –long meditation by preaching sermons to his first five followers at the age of 36.

Video by Prabin Koirala