Poson

Poson, also known as Poson Poya, is an

annual festival held by Sri Lankan
Buddhists celebrating the arrival of
Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 3rd Century
BC.[1][2] The festival is the most important
Poya (full moon) holiday of the year and
the second most important Buddhist
holiday of the year, being surpassed in
importance by Vesak.[3] Poson is
celebrated throughout the island, with the
most important ceremonies of the festival
being held in Anuradhapura and Mihintale.
The festival is held in early June,
coinciding with the June full moon.[4][5][3]

Poson

A Poson pandal at Aluthgama

Observed by Sri Lankan Buddhists

Significance Commemoration of the

spread of Buddhism to
Sri Lanka.

Begins Early June

Ends Early June

Festival
Poson is celebrated to commemorate the
introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by
Mahinda in 236 BC.[6] The focal point of
the religious festival is the Buddhist
monastic complex on the mountain of
Mihintale, where Mahinda preached
Buddhism to one of the kings of Sri Lanka.
Celebrations are also centered around
Buddhist sites in Anuradhapura, which
was one of the first cities in Sri Lanka to
convert to Buddhism. During Poson, these
two locations attract thousands of
pilgrims from across Sri Lanka. These
pilgrims dress in white and worship at the
spiritual locales. Many of the most
devoted pilgrims spend hours in quiet
contemplation to honor the traditions of
Buddhism.[3]

Outside of Anuradhapura and Mihintale,

the festival is celebrated with the telling of
stories, music, dancing, the giving of free
food and teas (provided by special
vendors known as Dansals), and the
hanging of paper lanterns.[3] Some parts
of Sri Lanka prohibit the selling of meat
and alcohol during the festival.[4][6]

References
1. "Poson festival" . Sunday Observer. 2017-
06-07. Retrieved 2018-01-20.
2. "Poson Festival | Royal Holidays" . Home.
Retrieved 2018-01-20.
3. "Poson Festival in Sri Lanka" . lanka.com.
Retrieved 2018-01-20.
4. "Poson Festival of Sri Lanka |
Buddhistdoor" . www.buddhistdoor.net.
Retrieved 2018-01-20.
5. SureshikaThilakarathna. "The Poson
Festival" . Retrieved 2018-01-20.
6. "The significance of Poson Full Moon
Poya Day - Sri Lanka News" . Sri Lanka
News - Newsfirst | Breaking News and
Latest News provider | Political | Sports |
International | Business. 2017-06-08.
Retrieved 2018-01-20.

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Last edited 1 month ago by LilHelpa

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