In Uttar Pradesh, the day started with Stupa Pujan in Sarnath and Kushinagar.
In West Bengal, special religious congregations were held almost at all the monasteries in Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars and also in Sikkim.
In Leh special prayers, lighting of traditional lamps in front of Lord Buddha Statue in the monasteries and Houses are being held to mark the occasion in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.
In Nepal, Buddha Jayanti was observed throughout the nation. Devotees have been thronging Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha in southern Nepal and other monasteries to offer special prayers and pujas. In Kathmandu, Buddhists have been visiting the Swoyambhu monastery and other monasteries.
Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh Lok sabh speaker and other leaders have greeted people on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.
In his message, Vice President Ansari said hat Lord Buddha, through his enlightened teachings showed us the eternal path of ahimsa, right conduct and universal love.
“On this occasion, let us imbibe the teachings of Lord Buddha to create a just, peaceful and contented society,” he added.
Dr. Singh in his message said the teachings of Lord Buddha of ahimsa, compassion and universal brotherhood is very relevant in today’s world.
“Let us imbibe the message of Lord Buddha to foster a peaceful and egalitarian world based on equality of all and work for the welfare of the downtrodden and underprivileged, ” he added. Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh greeted people on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.
