Buddhists from all across India are due to celebrate the birth of the Buddha next week (May 17th), with sacred processions and colourful fairs planned to mark the occasion. Brits arriving on flights to India are encouraged to catch the Buddha Purnima celebrations at the Buddha Jayanti Park in the capital city of Delhi.
Furthermore, in the town of Sarnath, where the Buddha is believed to have preached his first sermon, the locals traditionally put on a colourful fair to celebrate the life and enlightenment of the sacred deity.
Meanwhile, in Gangtok the streets will be filled with shaven-headed monks, wearing maroon robes and processing slowly, while meditating on sacred scriptures.
Other recommended destinations include Sanchi, Kusinagar and Bodhgaya, where the Buddha reached enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Brits looking to book flights to Delhi to catch this major Buddhist festival can choose from a range of airlines, including KLM, Lufthansa, Emirates and Delta Airlines.