DHAKA: Madhu Punrima, one of the significant festivals of the Buddhists community, is being celebrated across the country on Monday with traditional enthusiasm and solemn devotion.

Madhu Purnima is celebrated on the day of the full moon in the month of Bhadra of Bangla calendar, in commemoration of the service and support, rendered by the animals of the Parilyeyo forest in India, to the Buddha.

It is said that Madhu Purnima announces the greatness of charity.


Apart from celebrating the greatness of charity, the day is also significant for its role in establishing unity among the Buddhists.

However, the purnima is being celebrated in all monasteries, respective offices of the religious organizations and educational institutions through a day-long program.

Offering honey, mass prayer, blood donation, sangadana, discussions, panchashila and pradip puja are other highlights of the celebration.

Besides, special prayers seeking continued peace and progress of the country as well as the world are also being offered in all monasteries.

In religion, Buddha was observing his 10th barsabas (seclusion inside the hermitage) or monsoon rites in the Parilyeyo forest, an elephant and a monkey collected alms and gathered fruits for him.

They also protected him from ferocious animals.

One day the monkey brought a beehive, which Buddha accepted.

Moreover, in his joy at the Buddha’s acceptance of his gift, the monkey started jumping from trees to trees and suffered a fatal fall.

The day was named Madhu Purnima or ‘honey full-moon’ to commemorate the gift of the monkey.

BDST: 1900 HRS, SEP 08, 2014