POSON FESTIVAL

In spite of other countries in the world, Poson Full Moon Poya Day is very consequential for Sri Lankans, as Arahat Mahinda brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka from India, with his other group. Arahat Mihindu is the son of one of the most exemplary rulers in the world - the Emperor of India,  Ashoka, who then governed the Northwestern territories of the Mauryan (Modern day Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan) in the 3rd Century BC.  For Buddhists in Sri Lanka, this hallowed day of Poson is second only to Wesak, in terms of importance. 

Arahat Mahinda and his team has come to Mihintale of Anuradhapura and met the ruling King Devanampiyatissa, when he was hunting deer in the forest.  Though Poson is celebrating through - out the Island, Mihintale (situated in Anuradhapura) is the center of celebrations of Poson, because Arahat Mahinda has delivered his initial discourses to Primier Devanampiyatissa and his group. King Devanmapiyatissa and his multitude of army has been converted to Buddhism then and there.   Afterwards, Poson Full Moon Poya Day/Poson Festival is being celebrated in June annually through-out the country.  

With the establishment of Bikkhu Sasanaya, all the other elements of a civilized society, such as art and craft, art of writing, literature, river civilization, religious rituals of song and dance forms have been emerged, with the support of royal patronage.    

People make pilgrimages to Mihintale and Anuradhapura during Poson Festival Season, as the Arahat Mihindu first put his foot to preach Buddhism on the top of the hill of Mihintale and his sleeping cave and the pond, which he used to bathe, are also situated in the Rock of Mihintale.  That is why the Mihinthalaya is called as the "Cradle of Buddhism" in Sri Lanka.  Devotees from every corner of Sri Lanka  worship the temple at Mihintale and then climb-up the top of the mountain and worship Dagabas, which lies  all around the hillock.

There are a plenty of religious activities, such as campaign of observing precept, bodhi pooja, oil lamp pooja, Poson devotional songs, almshouses - offering free food and drinks to people, such as, rice and curries, beli fruit flowers, coriander, sago, tea, coffee, etc.  Mihintale and surrounding area of Anuradhapura are being decorated by various coloured bulbs, Poson Lanterns, Pandol (thorana), which commemorate the Jathaka Katha (Stories of Lord Buddha's previous births) in various sizes and shapes.  Those Poson Lanterns and Pandol are embellished to sparkle and glitter for eye-catching of the adults and children, as well.   These decorations make a wonderful scenic and picturesque beauty in the night of the Poson Day.  

Other temples in Sri Lanka, too, are organizing many devotional activities on behalf of Poson Festival.  People get dressed in white to observe Atasil in the temples and attend to various kind of religious activities during Poson Full Moon Day.  There are a lot of almshouses in every city and village to offer free food and drinks for the people.  

This mighty festival of Poson is significant for all living creatures, who understand the devoutness and sacredness of a religion, which means the authenticity of the mankind.  

Poson Full Moon Day has been fallen on the 2nd of June in this year - 2015.

**Abstracted some facts from : http://www.lanka.com/events/Poson-Festival/

- (Mrs.) Shrimal Champika Wickremasinghe -