Prabarana Purnima, the second grandest religious celebration of the Buddhist community, is being observed in the capital as across the rest of the nation on Sunday with appropriate solemnity and traditional fervor.

The observance is additionally designated as Ashwini Purnima, which signifies the completion of the three-month-long monastic retreat of the monks inside their viharas for personal spiritual growth and expiation of their sins.

The Purnima leads into a month-long delivery of discourses by the Buddhist monks for the well-being of all living creatures and entire humanity through a month-long yellow robe donation ceremony that commences on the day following the Purnima.

According to tradition, Buddha once severed a few locks of hair from his head and declared that if he possessed the merit to achieve supreme enlightenment and wisdom, the hair would not drop down but ascend upward into the sky, which it ultimately did.

To commemorate this miracle, Buddhists will launch illuminated hot-air balloons constructed from vibrant paper (fanush) to float into the autumn night sky during the evening, serving as the central highlight of the celebration.

The Purnima will be observed across all monasteries, respective headquarters of religious entities, and academic institutions via daylong schedules.

The day's events will commence with the unfurling of national and religious flags above all monasteries at daybreak, accompanying the recitation of verses from the holy Tripitaka.

The breaking of the monks' fasts, congregational supplications, blood donation drives, Sangadana, scholarly discussions, observance of Panchashila and Asthashila, alongside pradip puja will feature prominently throughout the schedules.

Within the capital, primary religious assemblies will take place at Dharmarajik Bouddha Bihar in Kamalapur, International Buddhist Monastery in Merul Badda, Kalachandpur Bouddha Bihar, Uttara Bouddha Bihar, Adibashi Sakkyamuni Bouddha Bihar in Mirpur, and Ashulia Bodhigyan Maitri Bhabona Kendra.

In Chattogram, spiritual gatherings will be conducted across various shrines, encompassing Nandankanan Buddhist Temple, Katalganj Nabapandit Bihar, Shakkymuni Mohasashan Bouddha Bihar in Agrabad, Purnachar International Buddhists Monastery in Debpahar, and Sarbajanin Bouddha Bihar on Momin Road.

Special supplications will likewise be conducted throughout all monasteries invoking peace and prosperity for the homeland as well as worldwide harmony.

Personnel from law enforcement organizations have been positioned surrounding all temples across the city and districts to guarantee the peaceful observance of the festival.