Esala Full Moon Poya Day in Sri Lanka ― Date, History, and Details
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History of Esala Full Moon Poya Day in Sri Lanka and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Esala Full Moon Poya Day is one of the most important religious festivals celebrated in Sri Lanka. It commemorates the first sermon given by the Buddha to his five disciples after attaining enlightenment under a Bodhi tree. The day is also known as Esala Perahera, or ‘The Festival of the Tooth’, as it marks the arrival of the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha to Sri Lanka.
Esala Full Moon Poya Day is usually celebrated with much fanfare and enthusiasm. People visit temples and offer prayers, flowers, incense and traditional food items such as fruits, sweets, and milk rice. Buddhists observe the day by meditating, chanting and performing religious rituals like lighting oil lamps and offering flowers to statues of the Buddha. This is followed by processions with elephants, drummers and dancers.
The celebrations on Esala Full Moon Poya Day are an important part of Sri Lankan culture. People enjoy traditional folk music and dance performances, as well as fireworks displays. Many people take part in chariot processions, where they pull statues of gods and goddesses throughout the streets. People also decorate their homes with lights and lanterns to honor the sacred tooth relic. After the festivities, people gather together to share a meal and exchange gifts.