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Poson Full Moon Poya Day celebrates the arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. It is a day that is celebrated with light and colour and neighbourly harmony, a very special occasion second only to the Vesak Festival for Buddhists ihttps://www.flickr.com/photos/lakpura/15369289710n Sri Lanka.

Poson Festival| Img by: Amila Tennakoon via Flickr, CC BY 2.0

Observing Poson with the locals

There are many sites of significance to Buddhists all over Sri Lanka, each more wonderous and full of stories as the next. If you stay in the Fortress Resort and Spa, you will only be less than half an hour away from the Japan Peace Pagoda which is a Buddhist temple with breath-taking ocean views.

Peace Pagoda

The Japanese Peace Pagoda, Unawatuna is one of the eighty as of the year 2000, peace pagodas built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujii a Japanese Buddhist monk after his meeting with Mahatma Gandhi inspired him to pursue non-violence and harmony. The pagoda has a sweeping 360-degree deck for a grand view and is within easy reach from all Galle hotels.

The Story of Poson

It was in the 3rd century BC that King Devanampiyatissa was hunting in the royal park and came across a brilliant human figure on the rocky outcrop above him. It was Mahinda, the bringer of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. It is this momentous occasion that is celebrated as the Poson Festival.
The king went on to build many monuments in the kingdom of Anuradhapura in the name of Buddhism including the planting of the Sri Maha Bodhi.

Ancient Temple and Artwork

About 15 minutes’ drive from the Galle town is the Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya which is a temple that was built during the monarchy in Sri Lanka. It is a simple and peaceful location with beautiful ancient artwork in the cave temple and an ancient Bo tree.

A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, Joanna James ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought. Her interests include Politics, law and Philosophy. Google+

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