Top Buddhist Festivals in India 2025

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1. Mahayana New Year: Many Buddhist followers across India celebrate Mahayana New Year. This day marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is generally celebrated with family reunions, feasts, and cultural traditions. People following Buddhism around the world clean and decorate their homes on this day, using red lanterns and paper cut-outs. This symbolises prosperity and happiness. The major attraction of this festival is the lion dance which is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. Moreover, in some parts of India, cultural performances, parades, and traditional festivities are organised as part of the Mahayana New Year celebrations. 
2. Nirvana Day: Nirvana Day, also known as Parinirvana Day, is a Buddhist festival that commemorates the death of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, and his attainment of Nirvana. Nirvana is the state of liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) and represents the ultimate goal in Buddhism. The festival is observed with solemnity, reflection, and sometimes joy, as it is considered a significant moment in the Buddha's life. 
3. Magha Puja Day: This day also known as Sangha Day or Fourfold Assembly Day, is a significant Buddhist festival celebrated on the full moon day of the third lunar month (Magha) in the Buddhist calendar. The festival holds great importance in Theravada Buddhism and commemorates a special event that occurred during the Buddha's lifetime. It commemorates a spontaneous gathering of 1,250 arahants (enlightened disciples) who came to pay homage to the Buddha without prior arrangement. The event is considered one of the four key moments in the Buddha's life, known as the Four Great Assemblies.

1. Theravada New Year: This is one of the significant Buddhist festivals which is observed three days after the first full moon appears in April every year. The festival is also known as Pi Mai in Northern Thailand, Boun Pi Mai in Laos, Songkran in Central Thailand, and Choul Chnam Thmey in Cambodia. 

1. Vaishakh - Budha Diwas: Vaishakha Purnima is also known as Budha Purnima that commemorate, the birth anniversary of Siddhartha Gautam (Gautam Buddha). The day is observed as a public holiday and various cultural performances are performed and houses are decorated to promote Buddhist principles and customs. 

1. Asala - Dharma Diwas: The festival is celebrated by Theravadan Buddhists that commemorates of the Buddha's first sermon. The day marks the start of a three-month mandatory retreat for monks. 

1. Obon: This festival is a fusion between the ancient Japanese belief and a Japanese Buddhist custom which is celebrated to honour the spirits of the ancestors. 

1. Bodhi Diwas: The day commemorates the enlightenment of Gautam Buddha. The word ‘enlightenment’ is known as ‘Bodhi’ in Pali or Sanskrit. 

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FAQs on Top Buddhist Festivals

• Is it a bank on holiday on Mahayana New Year in India?

  No, it is not a bank holiday on Mahayana New Year in India. 

• Is Buddha Purnima a bank holiday in India?

  Yes, Buddha Purnima is an official holiday in India. Post offices, government departments and banks are closed on this day. 

• What is the significance of Bodhi Day?

  Bodhi Day commemorates the day when Gautama Buddha achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. This day is seen as a time for reflection and meditation, as Buddhists strive to attain the same level of awakening and understanding that the Buddha achieved. 

• What is the significance of Dharma Day?

  Dharma Day commemorates the first sermon given by the Buddha after attaining enlightenment, also known as the ‘Turning of the Wheel of Dharma’.