This Buddha Purnima, celebrate Buddha Mahotsav at Sarnath

Every year, on the day of Buddha Purnima, Buddhists all over the world gather in temples and other sacred places to offer prayers and perform acts of generosity, compassion, and kindness. Amidst meditation and chanting, there’s a lot of talks on the life and teachings of the Buddha.
In India, if there’s one place that you must visit on Buddha Purnima, it's Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh. The annual celebration of Buddha Mahotsav in Sarnath is one festival for which Buddhist pilgrims from all over India and the world visit Sarnath. The festival is marked by various cultural events and activities, including processions, cultural programs, and talks on Buddhism.


Sarnath is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists as it is where Gautam celebrates the life and teachings of Buddha. During the festival, the town of Sarnath gets beautifully decorated with colorful lights and decorations.
One of the highlights of the festival is the procession of monks and devotees who carry a sacred relic of Buddha on a decorated chariot. The relic is taken to the main temple of Sarnath, where it is displayed for the public to offer their prayers.


The festival is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to learn about Buddhism and its teachings. It also provides a unique insight into the cultural heritage of India and its deep connection to Buddhism.

How to reach Sarnath?

Sarnath is located approximately 10 km away from Varanasi. The nearest airport to Sarnath is the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi, which is well connected to major cities in India and abroad and, if you are driving to Sarnath, the town is well connected by road to major cities in India.

There are also frequent buses from Varanasi to Sarnath.