2569th Buddha Jayanti and Ubhauli festival being observed today

Kathmandu: The 2569th birth anniversary of Siddhartha Gautam, popularly known around the world as Buddha, the harbinger of peace, is being celebrated today.

Buddha Jayanti is celebrated every year on the full moon day of the month of Baisakh in the Lunar calendar. As Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death fall on the full moon day of Baishakh, Buddhists around the world, including in Nepal, celebrate the day with reverence and devotion to Buddha. Likewise, Buddhist monks and religious leaders sit in chaityas, monasteries, vihars, etc., and perform traditional rituals. Special events are held in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha and Kapilvastu, Swayambhu and Boudha.

Siddhartha Gautam was born to King Suddhodhan and Queen Mayadevi in Lumbini of present Rupandehi district in 563 BC i.e. 2568 years ago. Born as a prince, he became worried seeing the sufferings of the people.

At the age of 29, he left the palace and went for meditation and penance.

Also today, the Ubhauli festival is being celebrated especially by the Kirant Rai community across the country.

During the festival, there is a tradition of worshipping nature before planting crops to ensure that the land gives good output. Chandi dance is also performed on the occasion of this festival.

Sakela dance is also performed among different sects of the Kirant community.