Mumbai: Vaishakh Purnima, falling on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Vaishakh, holds deep spiritual significance across India and among Hindu and Buddhist communities globally. This year, the sacred occasion will be observed on Monday, 12 May 2025, as per the Udaya Tithi (sunrise-based calendar system). The day is revered for its powerful combination of devotion, charity, and purification, with rituals performed in honour of Lord Vishnu and the Moon God, and by Buddhists to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Gautam Buddha.
From offering prayers and listening to the Satyanarayan Katha to bathing in holy rivers and donating food and water to the poor, Vaishakh Purnima is seen as a rare opportunity for devotees to cleanse their sins and earn spiritual merit. The day is also widely known as Buddha Purnima and is celebrated with grandeur across Buddhist nations. Here’s a detailed look at the date, puja vidhi (ritual method), and spiritual significance of Vaishakh Purnima 2025.
According to Drik Panchang, the full moon will begin at 8:01 PM on Sunday, 11 May 2025, and end at 10:25 PM on Monday, 12 May 2025. However, based on sunrise timings, the fast and associated rituals will be observed on Monday, 12 May 2025.
Devotees begin the day with a holy bath during Brahma Muhurat, preferably in a sacred river or using Ganga jal (Ganges water). Facing the east or north, they take a vow of fasting and set up an altar with an idol or image of Lord Vishnu or Lord Buddha. Offerings include flowers, sandalwood paste, fruits, sweets, and Tulsi leaves, followed by lighting incense and lamps. The day is incomplete without reading or listening to the Satyanarayan Katha and performing moon worship in the evening before breaking the fast.
Vaishakh Purnima is one of the few days that is equally sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is believed that on this day, Gautam Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and entered Mahaparinirvana, making it the holiest day in the Buddhist calendar. For Hindus, the day brings blessings from Lord Vishnu, and rituals performed today are said to lead to prosperity and liberation.
Devotees perform daan-punya (charity) by donating clothes, food, water pots, and fans to the poor. Many also perform tarpan—offerings made to ancestors—for their peace and liberation. Bathing in holy rivers like the Ganga is considered purifying, and many travel to pilgrimage sites to mark the occasion with devotion and rituals.
(Disclaimer: The information provided is based on traditional beliefs and religious texts. News9 Live does not endorse or validate these claims.)
