By NewsGram Staff Writer

To mark the occasion of Buddha Poornima, the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) will be hosting "International Buddha Poornima Diwas Celebration 2015" on 4th of May at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi.

Buddha Poornima or Vesak is recognized as the sacred day that marks the Birth, Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha. While Buddha was born in Lumbini in Nepal, he attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya in Bihar, preached first in Sarnath and attained nirvana in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh.

Briefing the media about the event, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, said, "It is unfortunate that this most auspicious and sacred day associated with Buddha, the greatest messenger of peace and gift to humanity, which is celebrated all over the world and also recognized as UN Day of Vesak, didn't receive the official sanction and support in India, the land of origins of Buddha Dharma. "

Only twice in independent history of India, the day was officially commemorated in 1956 and 2008. The grand 2500th Buddha Jayanti celebrations in 1956 was officially hosted by Govt. of India in Bodhgaya, the holiest site for Buddhists, under the leadership of then Prime Minister late Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru. In 2007, the 2550th anniversary of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana was hosted in Kushinagar, the minister said.

The move to host International Buddha Poornima Diwas Celebration 2015 was initiated under the aegis of International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) by Kiren Rijiju and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has accorded the importance in preservation and promotion of shared heritage and development of Buddhist pilgrimage and heritage circuit in top priority.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister will lead the nation in prayers and solidarity with the people and nation of Nepal – the land of birth of Buddha and all those affected in India and Tibetan Autonomous Region.