Vesak is the most sacred holy day of Theravada Buddhism. It is a day celebrated by Buddhists around the world. Also called Visakha or Wesak, Vesak is an observation of the three significant events in Gautama Buddha's life - namely his birthday (birth), his enlightenment and his death (parinirvana)
Visakha is the name of a month of the Indian lunar calendar, and "puja" means "religious service." So, "Vesak Puja" can be translated "the religious service for the month of Visakha." In English, sometimes it is called "Buddha Day." Vesak is held on the first full moon day of Vesakha. There are diverse lunar calendars in Asia that number the months differently, but the month during which Vesak is observed usually coincides with May.
During the Wesak festival, devotees bring offerings of flowers, joss sticks and candles. This is to remind them that, just as flowers wither and die, joss sticks and candles burn away, and so too is life - temporary.
According to Buddhist legend, when the Buddha was born he stood straight, took seven steps, and declared "I alone am the World-Honored One." And he pointed up with one hand and down with the other, to indicate he would unite heaven and earth. I am told the seven steps represent seven directions -- north, south, east, west, up, down, and here. Mahayana Buddhists interpret "I alone am the World-Honored One" in a way that "I" represents all sentient beings throughout space and time -- everyone, in other words.
The ritual of "washing the baby Buddha" commemorates this moment. This is the single most common ritual, seen throughout Asia and in many different schools. A small standing figure of the baby Buddha, with the right hand pointing up and the left hand pointing down, is placed on an elevated stand within a basin on an altar. People approach the altar reverently, fill a ladle with water or tea, and pour it over the figure to "wash" the baby.
In Malaysia, Wesak Day was celebrated on Friday May 24, 2013. It was a public holiday.
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