Vesak is considered as both a religious and cultural festival in Sri Lanka. Vesak is one of the biggest days of the year in the Buddhist calendar and is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. Vesak is a religious and cultural festival in Sri Lanka. It is celebrated on the day of the full moon in the month of May.
Buddhists commemorate the important events that took place in the life of Lord Buddha on the Vesak day. First comes the birth of Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini in Nepal which took place under the arbor of Sat trees where queen Mahamaya gave birth to him. The second event was Siddharta Gautam’s supreme attainment as the Buddha, the Enlightened One. The third event was Lord Buddha’s Parinibbana over 2500 years ago at Kusinagar.
Many Asian countries, including Sri Lanka,India, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan celebrate Vesak. Many religious activities are organized during this period in Sri Lanka such as Sil campaigns, Bodhi Poojas, Dansalas (Freely giving foods, coffee, tea from people), Vesak devotional songs (Bakthi Gee), pandols (thoran) and lanterns.
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