Vegetarian temple meals
Vegetarian food is part of how Vesak is kept, and temples serve it to the people who visit to pay respects. Some observers also take the Eight Precepts for the day.
Source: Vesak.
Vesak is Thursday 20 May 2027. Vesak marks the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha and is one of the most important Buddhist festivals. It is a day for temple visits, charity and vegetarian meals, and many temples hand out food to anyone who comes.
Source: Vesak.
Also known as Wesak, Visakha Bucha, Waisak, Buddha's Birthday, Buddha Purnima, Hari Vesak.
What people eat for Vesak
Sanchae bibimbap
Korea
On Buddha's Birthday in Korea many temples serve free meals and tea to all visitors, and the breakfast and lunch are often bibimbap made with wild vegetables. Bibimbap is a bowl of rice topped with seasoned vegetables and chilli paste.
Amacha (sweet hydrangea tea)
Japan
A caffeine-free sweet tea made from Hydrangea macrophylla. In Japan it is poured over small Buddha statues for the Buddha's Birthday on 8 April, as if bathing a newborn baby.
Dansal (free food stalls)
Sri Lanka
Food stalls set up by Buddhist devotees that give free food, ice cream and drinks to people passing by during Vesak week.
Source: Vesak.
Kheer
Nepal
A sweet rice porridge commonly served on Buddha Purnima in Nepal, to recall the story of Sujata, who offered the Buddha a bowl of milk porridge.
Source: Buddha's Birthday.
Vesak food experiences to book
Our city guides where it is celebrated
Vesak dates
| Year | When |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Thursday 20 May 2027 |
| 2028 | Tuesday 9 May 2028 |
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