Vesak (also Wesak or Buddha Day) 6 May is considered the holiest day in the Buddhist calendar. It is celebrated annually on the full moon of the ancient lunar month of Vesakha in May and commemorates the birth, enlightenment and the death of Buddha.
The day is observed as a public holiday in many Southeast Asian countries and is marked by special devotional services and various deeds intended to be meritorious, such as the presentation of food, giving alms to monks or the release of captive birds.
Devotees may bring simple offerings of flowers and candles to lay at the feet of their teacher. These symbolic offerings are to remind followers that just as the beautiful flowers would wither away after a short while, and the candles would soon burn out, so too is life subject to decay and destruction.
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