World Turtle Day

 

Turtles and tortoises are often confused with each other, but they are distinct creatures with unique characteristics. Both play crucial roles in maintaining and enhancing ecosystem health.

World Turtle Day, celebrated annually on May 23, aims to increase awareness about the habitats and lifestyles of turtles and tortoises, encouraging people to support their conservation.

History:

American Tortoise Rescue is an organisation that helps in wellbeing and rescue of tortoises and turtles. Learning the differences between the two creatures is the first step in understanding them better. Every year, World Turtle Day is observed on May 23. It was started in the year 2000 by American tortoise Rescue as a way of urging people to come together to understand tortoises and turtles better.

Significance:

Tortoises live on land, while turtles live in water. Tortoises can live up to 300 years, while the lifespan of turtles is 40 years. However, despite the differences, both turtles and tortoises play significant roles in the ecosystem. Turtles feed on dead fish that wash up on the shore while tortoises dig up holes that are inhabited by other creatures.

Buddha Purnima 2024

 

Buddha Purnima (also known as Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Day) marks the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism. This year, Buddha Purnima falls on May 23 marking the 2586th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha.

Gautama Buddha is said to have been born in Lumbini, Nepal, between 563 and 483 BCE, based on Buddhist tradition and archaeological discoveries. His mother, Queen Maya Devi, gave birth to him during a journey to her ancestral home, while his father was King Suddhodana. The Mayadevi Temple, along with its surrounding gardens and an Ashoka Pillar dating back to 249 BCE, marks the site of Buddha's birth in Lumbini.

The important day is observed by Buddhists worldwide and is a major festival in countries in most of South, Southeast and East Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Thailand, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and more.

It is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Vaisakha, which falls in April or May. Buddhists celebrate the day with great devotion and joy, participating in various ceremonies and rituals.