Kalimpong, April 14: Buddha Jayanti may be a month away, but celebrations in the form of reading the scriptures have already begun.

Reading of holy texts and other rituals began in Phunchog Sangnag Tagten Ling (Tamang Gumpa) on April 5 as part of a programme organised by Buddhist Welfare and Cultural Centre.

The celebrations will conclude on May 4 — the 2,584th birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha.

On Buddha Jayanti, people from various communities will take part in a procession dressed in traditional finery. The holy scriptures and an idol of the Buddha will be carried by the participants.

A free blood donation camp will also be organised on the occasion.

Hari Yonzon, the secretary of Buddhist Welfare and Cultural Centre, said: “In previous years, we started rituals like reading from the holy scriptures 15 days prior to Buddha Jayanti, but this time we decide to start a month before because 214 volumes have to be read.”

Buddha Jayanti celebration programmes are being organised in the town since 1933.

While recitation from Tengyur (holy texts) by 60 monks will continue till May 5, other rituals will be held simultaneously. Different types of prayers, like Nephunay Lhakhang Rapnay and the Mhani Monlam, will be offered on different days.

Celebrations of the 16-day ritual Karbo Cheyagay Nehuney will start from May 18th. The ritual includes fasts and religious dances.

“Holy scriptures like Tengyur will be read in this month-long programme. When Lord Buddha was sick, he had said when he died he would not like to be remembered as God but for his teachings. Apart from reciting the holy scriptures we will also hold prayers, meditation camps and observe fasts, which we hope will give peace of mind to people,” said Yonzon.