DHAKA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- With much enthusiasm and fervor, the Buddhist community in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country Thursday celebrated "Buddha Purnima," one of their major Buddhist festivals that marks Gautama Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death.
Daylong programs included a peace rally, hoisting of national and religious flags atop all monasteries, lighting of lamps, and recitation from the sacred verses by monks.
All the pagodas in the city are decorated with illuminated decorations and temples all over the country are crowded.
Buddhists in Dhaka were seen to throng monasteries since Thursday morning.
They brought out a colorful peace rally at the outset of the day and took part in various rituals and offered fruits, flowers and candles to statues of Lord Buddha who was born on a full moon day in 563 BC.
Special prayers were offered at all monasteries across the country, seeking peace, progress and prosperity for the nation.
