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 nonviolence 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.
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.
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.
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.
4. Hemis Festival This festival celebrates the birth of Padmasambhava, an Indian sage who had spread Buddhism in Tibet. The eyecatching part is different types of folk dances that are performed like the sacred mask dance, the Chaam and monk’s 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 wh o 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.
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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