Poson Festival

The Poson Festival marks the initiation of an evolution of a civilization, environmental alertness and spiritual awareness. On this day, the Sri Lankan Buddhists remember the arrival of Indian monk Arhat Mahinda in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC and was immensely impressed by the his intelligence of King Devanampiyatissa, who was involved in hunting deers. Consequently, the whole nation also adopted Buddhism for the rest of their life.

On this day, the supporters dressed in white to flock in great numbers at Anuradhapura and Mihintale to attend several religious ceremonies like Bodhi Poojas, Dansalas, Sil campaigns, Poson pandols( thoran) and lanterns along with Poson devotional songs. However, they also climb series of steps to reach atop the Mihintale hill first to the temple and then reached dagobas surrounded by hillocks.

The festival is staged with great belief and divineness with a motive to create the feeling of brotherhood and harmony amongst the living creatures. As a result, the decorations can be seen on streets with glittering lanterns, studded pandals, and most importantly, consumption of alcohol and flesh is strictly banned on this day.

The Poson Festival is one of the major Buddhist festivals organized on the full moon day in Mihintale near Anuradhapura city. The event comes at number second to the Wesak festival and also has historical prominence to lure meticulous crowd to the cradle of Buddhism, Sri Lanka.