Thursday 18th April 2024
Spreading the message of peace, harmony and co-existence across the world, Nepal is celebrating its most special ‘Buddha Jayanti’ on May 7, 2020.
Buddha Jayanthi 2020, the 2564th birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, is being celebrated by Buddhists and Nepalis across the country with utter devotion.
Buddha Jayanti, also known as Buddha Poornima, falls on Baishakh Shukla Purnima as per the lunar calendar, which is a full moon day.
Usually, Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and other sacred places and monasteries across Nepal will be thronged with devotees on this day. Devotees visit two great stupas Swyambhunath and Boudhanath to honor Lord Buddha.
However, the 2020 Buddha Jayanti celebrations are quite different from the way it is celebrated so far.
The coronavirus pandemic has thrown a spanner in this year’s Buddha Poornima celebrations.
Owing to the growing threat of COVID-19, the Nepali Government has urged Nepalis to celebrate the festival at their homes and avoid any religious gatherings.
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Meanwhile, Nepali Prime Minister KP Oli extended his warm Buddha Jayanthi wishes to the people of Nepal and especially the country’s Buddhist community through a video message.
He pitched on the need for world peace and harmony during the ongoing crisis while urging people to take adequate COVID-19 precautions.
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He urged the citizens to light lamps at their respective homes and offer tributes to all the departed souls and wish speedy recovery of the COVID-19 patients.
So far, Nepal has reported 99 coronavirus infection cases. However, 22 patients have already recovered and discharged.
Happy Buddha Purnima to one and all. #BuddhaJayanti2020
