Poson Festival

Considered as one of the most famous festivals in Sri Lanka, this public holiday takes place on the full moon day of Poson, the seventh month in the Sinhalese calendar. It usually falls in June in the Western calendar.

Although Poson Festival is celebrated across Sri Lanka, the main event is a mass pilgrimage to Anuradhapura, while thousands of white-robed pilgrims climb to the summit of Mihintale to the spot where Mahinda gave his first sermon.

Poson is a very religious festival and temples on the island are filled with devotees and pilgrims to mark this great event. Others may perform religious activities like reading holy books or listen to monks tell stories about Buddha's life.

Similar to Vesak celebration, Poson also has lantern lighting, thorana decoration and food stalls as an integral part. Buddhist disciples dress up in white and indulge in various religious activities, of which climbing the steps of the Mihintale Rock is an important part.

Where: Anuradhapura and Mihintale

When: June