Baisakh Purnima

(The full moon of Lord Buddha’’s Birth)
Purnima, the day of the full moon in late April and early May, is the greatest festival of the Buddhists and most of the Hindus, as the day is believed to have heralded the ‘‘triple Blessings-‘‘Buddha’’s birth, his enlightenment and his entering to Nirvana. The stupa of Swoyambhunath in Kathmandu, erected some 2000 years ago by a Buddhist monk, becomes the centre of ceremonial activities during the festival. Butter lamps and electric bulbs illuminate the whole area. Thousands of devout Buddhists from the different parts of the country come to the place to spend night fasting in Buddha’’s name and chanting prayers for the enlightenment. Solemn ceremonies procession of monks and other devotees take the idol is again returned to the place from where it was brought there. In addition solemn processions of the same kind can be seen throughout the country on the day.
                                                                               Source: Nepal Tourism Board