Buddha Jayanti, the most important festival for Buddhists in Nepal, which is equally important for Hindus, is celebrated in May. The day is to celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha. Siddhartha Gautam, the founder of Buddhism, was born in Nepal, in Kapilvastu. Therefore, the festival is most popular in Nepal and also in near countries.

Lumbini, the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautam, celebrates Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima in the most exciting ways following all the rituals. The temple receives thousands of pilgrims from all over the world, visitors, and devotees who gather for a single purpose of worshipping the god of peace and wisdom.

In Kathmandu Valley, the most crowded stupas for the celebration of Buddha Jayanti are Swayambhunath and Boudhanath. The activities at these main stupas and other shrines begin at dawn and end at midnight.

Buddha Jayanti, also known as Vesak Day, falls depending upon the lunisolar calendar and can vary according to the western Gregorian calendar. It can also fall in late April and case of a leap year, it can even fall in June.

On this special day, the prayers and mantras are chanted, and the monuments and monasteries are decorated with flowers and lamps. The country declares a public holiday on this day. Some popular sites to visit on this day are Guru Rinpoche Cave of Pharping, Namo Buddha Stupa, and the Buddhist monastic town of Patan.

The sites are crowded with hundreds of people, who come not just to worship but to observe precepts, and provide donations. The day is dedicated to give sermons, display Buddha relic, and honor Buddha.

The festival is full of enthusiasm and positive energy. It has a special significance as it unites every peace lover of every religion. The festival is celebrated in different countries like India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Japan, and Korea but with different traditions.