Kalimpong: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday declared 'Buddha Purnima' as a state holiday from this year onward.

Buddha Purnima marks Gautama Buddha's birth anniversary.

"We have many Buddhist monasteries in the state and there are many people, particularly in the hills of north Bengal, who practise this religion. On their demand, we have declared Buddha Purnima as a state holiday from this year," Banerjee said at the end of an administrative meeting in new district Kalimpong.

Banerjee said the state government will do its bit to make the hill district a tourist destination.

--IANS