Madhu Purnima

The day commemorates an occasion on which the Buddha retreated to the wilderness of Parileyya forest to bring peace between two quarrelling factions of disciples.

On this day, the Bhikkhus of Kosambi ended the disunity in their ranks and went to the Buddha in the forest to take a vow of unity and cooperation.

Palilayaka the elephant stood and roared in grief, but did not dare follow the Buddha.

The texts state that the elephant and the monkey, after dying at that time, were reborn as devas in the Tavatimsa heaven.

All Buddhists observe it by bringing gifts of honey and fruit to shrines or monasteries.