Poson Poya Festival – Buddhism enters Ceylon

Poson Poya Festival | Image Credit: Hafiz Issadeen (YIM Hafiz), Dharga Town, Sri Lanka (https://www.flickr.com/photos/yimhafiz/), Poson Pandal at Aluthgama, CC BY 2.0

The Poya day in June is called Poson Poya, this day is significant to all Buddhists in Sri Lanka as it signifies the day on which the gift of Buddhism was given to the country. The historical event dates back to the 3rd century BC when the King Devanampiyatissa encountered the Indian Emperor Ashoka’s son who had become a monk. The encounter took place on a rock which is now called the Mihinthale rock.
On that very spot that this divine meeting took place is now a temple called Ambasthale Dagoba, with 1840 steps leading to it. On Poson Poya, devotees visit the temple with offerings of flowers to pray and worship. In the evening, much like Vesak, the streets are filled with dansal and lit up with pandols. Homes are decorated with lanterns. For those who would like to witness the festival, hotels like Anantaya Resort & Spa Chilaw or any other hotels in Chilaw as early as possible.