Buddha's birthday: When is it and how is it celebrated in different countries?

Buddha's birthday is an important holiday in several countries in Asia where there are large Buddhist populations. While the celebrations are largely similar in different countries, the date varies based on the lunisolar calendar. On the holiday, Buddhists across the world commemorate the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. Devotees observe the sacred day with rituals such as bathing statues of the Buddha with water, singing hymns, making offerings to monks or setting animals and birds free. Buddhists use this time to not only celebrate, but also reflect on Buddha’s teachings and what it means to practice the faith.