Grand procession held in Bodh Gaya on the occasion of Buddha Purnima

Gaya (Bihar) [India], May 23 (ANI): On the auspicious occasion of the 2,568th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, a grand procession was held in the land of knowledge Bodh Gaya in the Gaya district of the state of Bihar, on Thursday morning.

Thousands of devotees from different states and countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Tibet, Myanmar, Vietnam and Bhutan were gathered for the grand event. The attraction point of the procession was devotees carrying the Panchsheel flag along with chanting the slogan of ‘Buddham Sharanam Gachchami’.

Along with the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, the devotees were also observing Trividh Jayanti. This day is significant as it marks three important events: Lord Buddha’s birth, his enlightenment, and his Mahaparinirvana, all of which are believed to have occurred on Vaishakh Purnima.

A large crowd assembled on both sides of the roads to witness the grand procession, which travelled through various points before concluding at the Mahabodhi Temple, a World Heritage Site. The journey commenced near the impressive 80-feet-tall statue of Lord Buddha.

Speaking with ANI, one of the Buddhist monks and participants of the grand procession, Bhante Aryapal said, “Today we are celebrating the 2,568th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha along with the Trividh Jayanti, because on this occasion of Vaishakh Purnima, he was born, attained enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana, which is not possible for any common man. Such an alignment of events is extraordinary and not possible for an ordinary person. That is the reason why we are celebrating Trividh Jayanti too.”

“We are also praying to Lord Buddha to bring peace and welfare to the entire world. Devotees from many countries including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Tibet, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Bhutan, have participated in the procession, he further added.”

Buddha Purnima is the most significant day for the Buddhist community as it commemorates the three crucial events in Buddha’s life: his birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana.