Citizens celebrated Buddha Purnima on May 23, 2024, with utmost religious fervour to commemorate the birth of Lord Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. This year marks the 2586th birth anniversary of Siddhartha Gautam. While the exact date of his birth is unknown, traditionally, the celebration occurs on the full moon day, or Purnima, of the Vaishakh month as per the Hindu lunar calendar. Historians estimate his lifespan to be between 563-483 BC.

Gautam Buddha, born in Lumbini, Nepal, attained Nirvana at the age of 35 under the Bodhi tree, or Bodhi Bruksha, in Gaya, Bihar. He spent his life teaching and spreading 'Dharma' in Sarnath. The 25-meter tall stone statue of Buddha, consecrated in 1989 near the Mahabodhi temple in Gaya, is one of the most revered sites associated with his life. This site and the Bodhi Vriksha in Gaya are considered the birthplace of Buddhism. In December 2023, a reclining Buddha statue, also known as the Sleeping Buddha, was inaugurated near the Mahabodhi temple. At 101 feet long, it is one of the tallest Buddha statues in Asia.

To mark the occasion, citizens visited Vishnu temples, as Buddha is considered the ninth incarnation of the ten major avatars of Lord Vishnu. Devotees performed puja rituals and visited Shiva and Vishnu temples. Staunch Vaishnavas observed a day-long fast, breaking it only with fruits and milk.

The celebrations reflected deep reverence for Lord Buddha and his teachings, highlighting the city's rich cultural and religious heritage.