Buddha Purnima 2025: Date and Time, Background, Significance and When is the Birth Anniversary of Siddhartha Gautama; the 9th Incarnation of Lord Vishnu?

From Lumbini to Bodh Gaya: The Significance, Date & Traditions of Buddha Purnima 2025

To commemorate the birth anniversary of Prince Siddharth Gautam who later became Gautam Buddha and established Buddhism, the auspicious festival of Buddha Purnima is observed every year. The majority of South Southeast and East Asia including China Korea Laos Vietnam Mongolia Cambodia and Indonesia as well as India Sri Lanka Nepal Bhutan and Tibet celebrate the holy festival also known as Buddha Jayanti. 

Notably the day is observed on the day of the full moon in the Hindu month of Vaisakha which occurs in April or May. 

Background and Significance of Buddha Purnima

Originally known as Siddharth Gautam Gautam Buddha was a philosopher and spiritual leader. Scholars estimate that he lived between 563 and 483 BCE though the precise dates of his life are still up for debate. Today’s Nepal’s Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. In Kushinagar Uttar Pradesh he reached Mahaparinirvana (death) at the age of 80. 

The festival offers an opportunity to spread the message of peace because it falls on Vesak, a celebration of Buddha’s enlightenment. Because three important occasions in the life of Gautam Buddha occurred on this day the full moon has religious significance. This was the day that Prince Siddharth was born at Lumbini Grove. 

Additionally on a full moon day after six years of suffering he became Gautam Buddha and achieved enlightenment under the shade of the Bodhi tree. Thirdly after 45 years of teaching he died and achieved Nibbana (Nirvana) which is freedom from the cycle of rebirth. 

Buddha Purnima Celebrations

Devotees from all over the world visit monasteries, light lamps and say prayers on Buddha Purnima. As they consider the three main lessons of Buddha – compassion, peace and mindfulness – they also perform deeds of charity and kindness. 

Buddha Purnima Date and Time

Three significant moments in the life of the Buddha – his birth, enlightenment and death – are commemorated on Buddha Purnima which falls during the month of Vaishakha. Under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya which is still the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage site in the world it is thought that Siddhartha attained enlightenment. 

Other than Bodh Gaya the three other sites are considered sacred Buddhist sites.

• Lumbini – The birthplace of Buddha
• Sarnath – Where he delivered his first sermon
• Kushinagar – Where he passed away

Buddha: Vishnu’s 9th Avatar?

Gautama Buddha is considered the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu in North Indian tradition after Lord Krishna. But in South Indian belief systems Krishna is regarded as the ninth avatar and Balarama as the eighth. Balarama is acknowledged as an avatar of Vishnu by numerous Vaishnava sects which also support this interpretation. 

The distinction between Hindu and Buddhist conceptions of divinity is highlighted by the fact that the majority of Buddhists do not consider Buddha to be an incarnation of Vishnu. 

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