Buddha Purnima marks the advent, nirvana (enlightenment) and departure of Lord Gautam Buddha.

On this day, Gautam Buddha, born as Siddharta Gautam at Kapila Bastu in Nepal in 563 B.C., got the supreme enlightenment or nirvana at the age of 35 at Gaya in the Indian state of Bihar and finally departed from the world at the age of 80 (483 B.C) at Kushinagar.

All monasteries of the Buddhists as well as various educational institutions observed the day with various programmes.

The day was a public holiday.

Buddhist monasteries in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country were decorated with flags on the occasion. Recitation from the Buddhist sacred book Tripitak, breaking of fast by the monks and offering of 'kathin chibor dan' (presentation of yellow robes to the monks) was the special features of the celebrations.

Special prayers were also offered in all monasteries across the country seeking peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.

On the occasion, President Iajuddin Ahmed and Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed issued separate messages.

President Iajuddin Ahmed inaugurated the 2551st Buddha Jayanti celebrations at International Buddhist Federation here yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, the president called upon the people irrespective of religion and belief to devote themselves to the cause of mankind and maintain fraternity and exercise tolerance.

"Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. We all have to work unitedly to restore all kinds of peace, development and advancement," he said.