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Dhammacakkappavattana Divas 2025, also known as Ashadha Purnima, marks Buddha’s first sermon. Celebrated on 10 July at Sarnath’s Mulagandha Kuti Vihara. Learn its date, venue, history, significance & the Wheel of Dhamma.
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July 10, 2025
Dhammacakkappavattana Divas, also known as Dhammacakka Day, is a profoundly sacred day in the Buddhist calendar. Celebrated annually on the full moon day of Āshāḍha (July), it marks the First Turning of the Wheel of Dhamma, the day when Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining Enlightenment.
In 2025, Dhammacakka Pavattana Day 2025 falls on Thursday, 10th July, and will be solemnly observed at Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, Sarnath, under the joint aegis of the International Buddhist Confederation and the Mahabodhi Society of India, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
Dhammacakkappavattana Divas 2025 celebrates the sacred occasion when Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) at the Deer Park in Sarnath, setting in motion the Wheel of Dhamma.
This spiritual event will be observed on Thursday, 10th July 2025, with solemn ceremonies led by the International Buddhist Confederation and the Mahabodhi Society of India at Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, Sarnath, supported by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
List Of International National Days 2025 Month-Wise List
| Dhammacakkappavattana Divas 2025 Overview | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Event Name | Dhammacakkappavattana Divas 2025 |
| Also Known As | Dhammacakka Day, Ashadha Purnima 2025 |
| Date | Thursday, 10th July 2025 |
| Occasion | First Turning of the Wheel of Dhamma by Lord Buddha |
| Significance | Buddha’s first sermon – Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta at Sarnath |
| Time | From 04:00 PM onwards |
| Venue | Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| Organisers | International Buddhist Confederation & Mahabodhi Society of India |
| Supported By | Ministry of Culture, Government of India |
| Main Activities | Parikrama, Chanting, Mangalacharan, Dhamma Talks, Sangha Offerings |
| Associated Observances | Guru Purnima, Varsha Vassa (Rainy Retreat), Esala Poya, Asalha Bucha |
Dhammacakkappavattana Divas commemorates the momentous occasion when the Buddha first taught the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta to his five ascetic companions (pañcavargiya) at the Deer Park in Sarnath, present-day Ṛiṣipatana Mrigadāya. This sermon set in motion the Wheel of Dhamma, unveiling the foundational tenets of Buddhism—the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.
Source: Wikipedia
This sacred event also marks the beginning of Varsha Vassa, the Rainy Season Retreat, during which Buddhist monks and nuns stay in one place to intensify their spiritual practices. Across Buddhist countries like Sri Lanka (Esala Poya) and Thailand (Asalha Bucha), this day is observed with reverence.
The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Mahabodhi Society of India, will solemnly observe Dhammacakkappavattana Divas on:
The programme will begin with a Parikrama (ritual circumambulation) and chanting ceremony at the historic Dhamek Stupa, followed by Mangalacharan, Dhamma talks, and reflections by venerable monks, scholars, and dignitaries.
Sarnath, known historically as Ṛiṣipatana Mrigadāya, is revered as the cradle of Buddha’s teachings. It was here that he first expressed the Four Noble Truths:
This sermon initiated Varsha Vassa (Rainy Season Retreat) during which monks and nuns remain in one place, engaging in intensive spiritual practice.
The Wheel of Dhamma, or Dharma Chakra, symbolises the completeness and cyclical nature of Buddha’s teachings. Its eight spokes represent the Noble Eightfold Path:
Each spoke embodies a practice that leads one towards enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of samsara (rebirth).
Source: Kinrara Metta Buddhist Society (KMBS)
Each of these turns reveals a deeper dimension of the Buddha’s teachings, showing how Dhammacakkappavattana Divas marks the very inception of a spiritual revolution.
Known as Esala Poya in Sri Lanka and Asalha Bucha in Thailand, Ashadha Purnima 2025 is celebrated globally across Buddhist countries. Apart from being Dhammacakkappavattana Divas, it coincides with Guru Purnima, a day for expressing gratitude to spiritual mentors.
The day is also marked by bathing rituals, worship, chanting, and offerings in temples. In India, it is also considered auspicious for Lord Vishnu’s worship and bathing in sacred rivers.
Founded in 2012 post the Global Buddhist Congregation in New Delhi, the IBC is the world’s first international Buddhist umbrella organisation, representing over 320 member institutions from 39 countries.
With the motto “Collective Wisdom, United Voice,” the IBC’s mission is to bring Buddhist values into global dialogues. It includes both monastic and lay members, ensuring inclusive representation from various Buddhist traditions and cultures.
The Mahabodhi Society of India, established in 1891 by Anagarika Dharmapala, played a pivotal role in the modern revival of Buddhism in India. The society’s founding purpose was the restoration of the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya and the propagation of Buddha Dhamma.
Source: Wikipedia
With headquarters in Kolkata, the Mahabodhi Society today runs numerous centres, schools, and welfare programmes across India and abroad. It also aims to educate people, publish Buddhist literature, restore sacred sites, and build international bridges among Buddhists worldwide.
Dhammacakkappavattana Divas is not merely a religious observance; it is a universal reminder of the Buddha’s timeless message—suffering can end, and the path to liberation is open to all. As the Wheel of Dhamma continues to turn across centuries and cultures, this day invites us to realign with compassion, mindfulness, and wisdom.
With organisations like the International Buddhist Confederation and the Mahabodhi Society of India leading the way, Dhammacakka Pavattana Day 2025 stands as a beacon of spiritual renewal and global harmony.
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