Ullambana, also known as the Ghost Festival, is a Buddhist observance celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh month of the Lunar Calendar, typically occurring in late August to mid-September. This festival is dedicated to honoring deceased ancestors and offering compassion to those suffering in the lower realms. Participants engage in rituals, make offerings, and reflect on their ancestral connections. Common customs include visiting local temples, purchasing incense, candles, and vegetarian offerings from Asian markets, and performing acts of kindness to generate merit. The festival emphasizes spiritual reflection and acts of merit rather than commercial activities, with many Buddhist temples hosting special ceremonies and opportunities for donations to support monastic communities. The Ullambana Sutra, which recounts the story of Maudgalyayana, one of the Buddha's chief disciples, highlights the significance of making offerings to alleviate the suffering of the deceased.