A monk blesses a devotee at a monastery in Siliguri on Buddha Jayanti. Picture by Avijit Sarkar

Kalimpong, May 16: Rallies, recitations from the holy scriptures and visits to monasteries adorned with decorative lights: That was what made up Buddha Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the Buddha.

The flow of worshippers in the many monasteries that dot Kalimpong continued throughout the day as followers thronged to seek blessings from the Enlightened One. Though most gumphas — like Shri Diwakar Vikara Gumpha at Eleven Mile, Dharmodaya Sabha Dharmodaya Virar at Nine at One-Fourth Mile and Chumani Gumpha at Icchay — joined in daylong celebrations, others, like Phunchog Sangnag Tagten Ling (Tamang Gumpa), the special worship had been started on May 9.

“This is the 2,547th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. We consider this not only his birth anniversary but also the day he received enlightenment,” said Hari Yonzon, general secretary, Phunchog Sangnag Tagten Ling.

The Tamang Gumpha also took out a rally that wound its way through the main road of the town. Followers from the Dooars, Sikkim, Darjeeling and all over the subdivision took part in the rally, carrying the Holy Scriptures and idols of the Buddha. Apart from members of Tamang Gumpa, the Himalayan Cultural Association also joined in the of their own.

“Holy Scriptures, which are the direct preaching of Lord Buddha were also read out aloud as part of our celebrations,” said Yonzon.

The Tamang Gumpa also organised a free diabetic-hypertension screening camp and voluntary blood donation camp. “We will donate the blood collected to the Kalimpong subdivisional hospital. We will also distribute food to the poor people later in the day,” Yonzon added. In the other monasteries, the celebrations started today with the followers of Buddha visiting them and offering prayers to Lord Buddha.

Recitation of the Holy Scriptures was done as priests performed puja in the morning and the evening in most monasteries like the Shri Diwarkar Vihara Gumpa at 11 mile. The Gumpha was decorated with lights. Even candles were used as offering during the worship.