Sri Lanka Celebrates Poson Festival – Remembering the Arrival of Buddhism

On 14th June this year, Sri Lankan Buddhists celebrated the annual Poson Festival. This event which is commemorated on the full moon of June each year marks the period in which Buddhism was brought to the island in 236 BC by India’s, Arahat Mahinda Thero; also remembered is the conversion of King Devanampiyatissa in Mihintale where this revered monk preached his first sermon.

On this day, Buddhist devotees travel to temples in Mihintale and the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura, where King Devanampiyatissa once ruled, for mass religious observances and ceremonies. During this time, one can see other traditions too: these include the holding of “dansalas” to freely give food and drink to passers-by as an act of earning merit, the singing of Poson devotional songs and the hanging up of lanterns. Those planning to travel to Sri Lanka and wanting to learn more about the island’s rich cultural heritage and destinations like Anuradhapura should check websites like Truly Sri Lanka for key local insights.