Buddha Purnima 2008
Birth, enlightenment and mahaparinirvana of the Buddha on Vaishakha Purnima.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)05:11
- Sunset18:38
- Fasting window (tithi)2008-05-19 · 05:23 → 07:41
- Parana (tithi ends)07:41
Festival days follow the classical attribution rules — udaya (sunrise), pradosha (evening), nishita (midnight), madhyahna or aparahna vyapini as each festival prescribes — computed for Kashi/Varanasi (IST). Regional observance can differ by a day in some years.
Read the Buddha Purnima puja vidhi, vrat rules and kathaBuddha Purnima — Frequently Asked Questions
Why do three events fall on Buddha Purnima?
Tradition holds that the Buddha's birth, his enlightenment and his parinirvana each occurred on the full moon of Vaishakha, though years apart — which is why this single day carries all three and is the holiest of the Buddhist year.
Is Buddha Purnima a Hindu festival too?
Yes. Hindus count the Buddha as the ninth avatar of Vishnu, and the day coincides with the Vaishakha full moon, kept with a holy bath and dana. It is observed by both traditions.
What is offered on Buddha Purnima?
Kheer is traditional — recalling Sujata's offering of milk-rice — along with white flowers, incense and a lamp. The deeper offering is ahimsa, giving, and meditation.
Other major festivals in 2008
- Makar Sankranti — 15 January 2008
- Vasant Panchami — 11 February 2008
- Maha Shivaratri — 6 March 2008
- Holika Dahan — 21 March 2008
- Holi — 22 March 2008
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 7 April 2008
- Ram Navami — 13 April 2008
- Akshaya Tritiya — 7 May 2008
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 4 July 2008
- Guru Purnima — 18 July 2008
- Nag Panchami — 6 August 2008
- Raksha Bandhan — 16 August 2008
- Krishna Janmashtami — 23 August 2008
- Hartalika Teej — 2 September 2008
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 3 September 2008
- Anant Chaturdashi — 14 September 2008
- Pitru Paksha begins — 16 September 2008
- Sharad Navratri begins — 30 September 2008
- Durga Ashtami — 7 October 2008
- Maha Navami — 8 October 2008
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 9 October 2008
- Karwa Chauth — 17 October 2008
- Dhanteras — 26 October 2008
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — 27 October 2008
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 28 October 2008
- Govardhan Puja — 29 October 2008
- Bhai Dooj — 31 October 2008
- Chhath Puja — 4 November 2008
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 13 November 2008
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 13 November 2008
- Hindu Festivals 2008 →