The residents and citizens of Punjab can enjoy a long weekend during the upcoming week as the government has announced an optional holiday in the state on May 12, 2025, on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.
However, May 12 is not a compulsory or gazetted holiday; it is an optional holiday, which was recently announced by the government of Punjab.
The latest announcement by the Punjab Government stated that employees can take two optional leaves this year.
May 12 is not a gazetted holiday!
It is important to note that May 12, Buddha Purnima, is not a gazetted holiday in Punjab. It is just an optional holiday, which states that the banks, schools, colleges, and other institutions will not remain closed as there will be no compulsory holiday announced by the government.
Why do we celebrate Buddha Purnima?
Buddha Purnima is also known as Buddha Jayanti or Vesak, and it is marked as the birth of Lord Buddha as Prince Siddhartha Gautama in Nepal. The day is celebrated to remember him for his teaching about birth, enlightenment, and death.
It is considered to be one of the important festivals for Buddhists worldwide and is also known as the “Thrice Blessed Festival.” To mark this occasion, people come together for activities like prayer meetings, temple visits, and acts of kindness.