Ullambana Festival

Ullambana, or the Ghost Festival, is the most popular Buddhist festival. On this day, it is believed that the "Gates of the Hell" are opened and the dead souls visit their loved ones. During this festival, offerings are made to the spirits of the dead and to the hungry ghosts in order to bring good fortune and luck. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar. Ullambana is a festival of liberation, which advocates and reinforces the concept of filial piety. The word ‘Ullambana' is a transliteration of the Sanskrit word meaning ‘deliverance from suffering', and specifically refers to the salvation that is granted to tormented souls in hell. On this day, Buddhists offer prayers both to their departed forefathers and to their living parents and elders.