Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhist community, is being observed across the country today.

Buddha Purnima marks Gautam Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death.

It falls on the day of the full moon in May.

On this day in 563 BC, Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gautam in Kopilabostu at the foothill of the Himalayas.

He attained supreme enlightenment at the age of 35 and finally departed into ‘nirvana’ at the age of 80 in 483 BC.

Different Buddhist organisations have chalked out various programmes to celebrate the day. The day is a public holiday.

The programmes include recitation of sacred verses from the Tripitak and breaking of fast by the monks.Special prayers will be offered at monasteries across the country seeking peace, progress and prosperity of the Buddhist community as well as the nation.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting the Buddhist community on the occasion.

The President will host a grand reception at 3:30pm at Bangabhaban to share the happiness of the day with the Buddhist community.

Source: UNB