Buddha Jayanti is a sacred day for Buddhists since it is the birthday of their founder Lord Buddha. It is also known as Buddha Purnima, Vaishakh Purnima, Saga Dawa, or Vesak. Lord Buddha, the star of Asia, is known for his four noble truths, eight folds of the path, and other spiritual teachings focused on peace, discipline, and focus. Every year Buddha Jayanti is observed on the full moon of Baisakh month. There is no particular date to celebrate the festival since it depends on the moon cycle; however, it usually falls in April or May and in June in a leap year. Buddha Jayanti will be celebrated on May 16 this year.
Buddha Jayanti is not just a day dedicated to Buddha’s birthday. It was also the day when he attained enlightenment(Nirvana) and left this materialistic world(Parinirvana). This day people avoid non-vegetarian food and offer kheer to God and people. During this day, people organize a special puja at their home, go to the nearby Monastery/Gumba, display traditional relics, and pay their respect to Lord Buddha.
The atmosphere in the Religious Sites during Buddha Jayanti
On this day, Buddhists make a pilgrimage to major Buddhist religious sites in Nepal. Among them, their first destination is Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Rumor has it that after Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, he took seven steps and spoke a message to all of humanity. On the auspicious day of Buddha Jayanti, the lamas offer prayers and organize big pujas in the Lumbini area.
The Swoyambhunath and Boudhanath stupas in Kathmandu valley also are crowded during Buddha Jayanti. Pilgrims make rounds of the stupas and light “Chheme”(candle-like things) in the name of lord Budhha and lost ones.
Another location near Kathmandu that gets crowded on Buddha Jayanti is Namo Budhha, located in the Kavre district. People go there and devote their hearts and soul and cherish the date of Buddha’s arrival on Earth. Besides these places, various other Chaityas and monasteries also are filled with people on this auspicious day. The ambiance around these areas is peaceful and spiritual. Visitors can listen to people enchanting mantras like “ॐ मणि पद्मे हूँ” or “बुद्धं शरणं गच्छामि। धर्मं शरणं गच्छामि। संघं शरणं गच्छामि।.”
What to click during Buddha Jayanti?
If you are into photography. Then you should not miss this day to capture those special moments. So, What can you capture this day? Well, we have a list of things to click :
- Pictures of Lamas and Vikshus offering their prayers
- General people offering Chheme/Light to Lord Buddha
- People going to rallies with pamphlets and banners
- Night view of the religious sites and pilgrims’ movement
- Preparations before or during the festival. Mostly, the moments of splashing colors on the dome of Bouddha or other stupas or chaitya
- People making rounds of Bouddha or Swayambhu
- People donating essentials to needy ones
- Candid pictures of people sharing wishes and greeting
- Flying Lungdar or small flags with inscriptions of Buddhist mantras
Imagepasal’s Bonus Photography Tips for Buddha Jayanti
If you don’t want to go onsite, you can create something from your ideas. Either, you can get your models in your studio with a great setup that reflects Buddha Jayanti and click pictures. Another idea can be taking your models onsite and clicking their pictures. However, the original shot has a greater chance of winning hearts and awards.
Also, this is the era of TikTok, so why not get your hands on it? You can also click videos in slow motion or regular videos during your photography session and get content for your social media. If not, you can also have a BTS video with your photography buddy. There are numerous ideas to capture the best moments of Buddha Jayanti. But, you must be careful about activities such as:
- Asking for consent and respecting people’s privacy
- Avoid taking pictures of restricted places
- Handle your equipment with care
Why buy pictures from Imagepasal.com?
ImagePasal.com is a leading Image Stock Company in Nepal, offering high-quality pictures of Nepal’s natural, cultural, and spiritual aspects. ImagePasal strives to provide high-quality images for organizations ranging from simple stores to digital marketing agencies. If you are looking for high-quality pictures of Nepali culture, including Buddha Jayanti, you can purchase them from ImagePasal. Also, if you require customized calendars, brochures, and flexes with images of Nepal. Then our sister company, print.imagepasal.com, is here for your service.
Celebrating Buddha Jayanti in Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Buddha
No place in Nepal feels more connected to the festival than Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Rupandehi District. On the full moon day of Baisakh, pilgrims from Nepal and across Asia gather around the Maya Devi Temple, the Sacred Garden and the Ashoka Pillar to pray, meditate and offer butter lamps and flowers.
For photographers, Lumbini offers a very different mood from the busy stupas of Kathmandu. Wide, open grounds, prayer flags strung between the trees and the reflecting pools of the monastic zone create calm, spacious compositions. Monasteries built by different countries, such as the Royal Thai Monastery and the World Peace Pagoda, show how Buddhist architecture varies across cultures and make excellent subjects in the soft light of early morning and late afternoon.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
- Lumbini is hot in April and May, so plan outdoor shooting for sunrise and sunset and carry water.
- The site is large; renting a bicycle or rickshaw helps you move between the Sacred Garden and the monasteries.
- Dress modestly, remove your shoes where required and keep a respectful distance during prayers.
- Ask permission before taking close portraits of monks, nuns and pilgrims.
You can explore more culture images of Nepal, including festivals, monasteries and religious ceremonies, in the ImagePasal collection.
Lastly, we wish everyone a peaceful Buddha Jayanti and, at the same time, request everyone to be kind, compassionate, share happiness, and follow the teaching of Lord Buddha.
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