A number of Buddhist festivals are celebrated in more than one or two countries, or even throughout the world. Specific festivals are also celebrated by the Mahayana and the Theravada Buddhist countries. These festivals can have different names in different countries, however, what is sure that all of them have tremendous importance in the lives of the Buddhist throughout the world.

Prominent amongst these is the day that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha. This day is celebrated as Vesak or Vishakha Puja (names might be different from country to country). The Buddhist New Year is also a day of great importance throughout the Buddhist World.

Apart from the two, other festivals that hold significance in different parts of the world include Magha Puja Day, Asalha Day, Uposatha, Pavarana day, Abhidhamma day, Ullambana and Avalokitesvara's Birthday. There are a whole lot of other festivals that are important for Buddhist around the world.

Details of all these festivals - why, when and how they are celebrated - are given in this section for your convenience. Go through them and find all that you wanted to know about these festivals. The date for celebration is also given, but we recommend that you check out the dates for any changes made.

Buddhist New Year Vesak or Visakah Puja ("Buddha Day") Magha Puja Day Asalha Puja Day ("Dhamma Day") Uposatha (Observance Day) Pavarana Day Kathina Ceremony Abhidhamma Day

Songkran Loy Krathong (Festival of Floating Bowls) The Ploughing Festival The Elephant Festival The Festival of the Tooth Ullambana (Ancestor Day) Avalokitesvara’s (Kuan Yin) Birthday