Magha Puja in India

Magha Puja is an important Buddhist festival celebrated on the full moon day of the Magha month (usually in February or March). It commemorates a significant event when 1,250 enlightened disciples spontaneously gathered to hear Buddha preach at Veluvana Vihara.

In India, Magha Puja is primarily observed in states with significant Buddhist populations like Maharashtra, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The celebration is more prevalent in other Buddhist countries like Thailand, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.

The festival takes place annually and includes:

• Merit-making ceremonies
• Candlelit processions around temples
• Offerings to monks
• Meditation sessions
• Recitation of Buddhist teachings

While not as widely celebrated in India as in Southeast Asian countries, Magha Puja represents an important occasion for Indian Buddhists to reflect on the core teachings of Buddhism and the ideal Buddhist community.

For more spiritual reads checkout this post here or this write up on the 25 Greatest Women’s Spirituality Books