Vesak, also known as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Day, is a significant festival for Buddhists. It celebrates three key events in the life of Gautama Buddha: his birth, enlightenment, and death.

Vesak occurs during the full moon in the lunar month of Vesakha, usually falling in April or May. The importance of Vesak traces back to the earliest Buddhist scriptures and it has been celebrated for thousands of years.

Devotees often visit temples for prayers, meditation, and offerings. Acts of generosity, like giving to the poor or releasing captive animals, are also common. Many also set up lanterns, which symbolize enlightenment and the dispelling of darkness.

Vesak is observed worldwide, especially in countries with significant Buddhist populations like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Tibet, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia.

In 1999, the United Nations officially recognized Vesak as an international day of observance due to its importance for Buddhists.