Buddha Purnima 2026
Vaishakh Purnima · Vaishakh Purnima · Vikram Samvat 2083
Significance
Sacred Vaishakh Purnima — devotees fast and offer Tulsi water to Lord Vishnu. Coincides with the Buddhist Vesak celebration.
Vaishakh is the month of Lord Vishnu. This Purnima — Buddha Purnima — celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha, making it sacred in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions across Asia.
Earth's shadow has two zones: the dark umbra and the lighter penumbra. At Purnima, the Moon passes outside both and is fully illuminated. The Hindu tithi system divides the lunar month into 30 tithis of roughly 24 hours each — Purnima is tithi 15 of the bright fortnight (Shukla Purnima). Because tithis are astronomically defined by the Moon's angular distance from the Sun, the IST peak time can fall morning, afternoon, or night depending on the year.
How to Observe Buddha Purnima
Hindus fast and offer tulsi-water to Vishnu on this Vaishakh Purnima. In Bodh Gaya, the Mahabodhi temple holds an all-night vigil with live streaming. Visit a Vishnu temple, recite the Vishnu Sahasranama, and donate food and medicine to the needy.