Buddha Jayanti 2026: Date, Meaning & Where to See It
The full moon of Baisakh, marking the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha, who was born at Lumbini in Nepal.
- Next
- Usually in April–May
- Also called
- Buddha Purnima, Vesak
- Earlier years
- 1 May 2026 · 12 May 2025 · 23 May 2024 · 5 May 2023 · 16 May 2022
Pilgrims from across Asia gather at the Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini, and Swayambhunath and Boudhanath are decorated with prayer flags and butter lamps; at Swayambhu, rare thangkas are displayed for the day.
It falls in the hot season, so in Lumbini visit early in the morning or around sunset.
Where to see it
Lumbini, birthplace of the Buddha
Rupandehi, Lumbini ProvinceThe sacred garden where Siddhartha Gautama was born, marked by the Maya Devi temple and Emperor Ashoka's pillar of 249 BCE.
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Lumbini Monastic Zone
Rupandehi, Lumbini ProvinceA 4 km master-planned garden of temples built by Buddhist nations, from Thai marble to a Chinese pagoda and German frescoes.
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Swayambhunath
Kathmandu, Bagmati ProvinceThe ancient hilltop stupa of the 'self-arisen' Buddha, reached by 365 steps, overlooking the whole valley.
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Boudhanath Stupa
Kathmandu, Bagmati ProvinceOne of the largest stupas in the world, the heart of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal, ringed by monasteries and circling pilgrims.
Read more →Quick answers
- When is Buddha Jayanti in 2026?
- Usually in April–May. The exact date for the next one is not published yet.
- What is Buddha Jayanti?
- The full moon of Baisakh, marking the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha, who was born at Lumbini in Nepal.
- Where is the best place to see Buddha Jayanti?
- Lumbini, birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini Monastic Zone, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath Stupa.
Other festivals
Dates from the public Holidays in Nepal calendar (Google Calendar), checked daily. Local festivals not in that calendar show their usual month; lunar dates can shift by a day locally.