Vesak is the biggest and most colourful festival for Buddhists. It is the main Buddhist religious festival in Sri Lanka. Vesak symbolises the Birth of Prince Siddhartha, the Enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, and the Parinirvana of the Buddha, making it an important day worldwide.
Sri Lanka celebrates Vesak on the Full Moon Poya Day of May yearly. Prince Siddhartha was born at Lumbini Sal Garden. Siddhartha Gauthama attained Buddhahood under the Jaya Sri Maha Bo Tree, and the Buddha attained Parinirvana at Upawaththana Sal Garden at Kusinara. These three incidents happened on Vesak Full Moon Poya Day.
So, Buddhists celebrate the Vesak festival, remembering these three incidents on Vesak Full Moon Poya Day.
Going to the temple and observing Sil is an important part of every Buddhist family’s Vesak Poya Day activities. Young and elderly people offer flowers and light oil lamps.
Buddhists decorate their houses with colourful lanterns and buckets. Some people set up Dansalas. Pandals can be seen on many streets. Many Jathaka stories are exhibited. Buddhist flags are hung everywhere. Lots of people go on pilgrimages.
Vesak is a great festival for the whole world.
Adeesha Jayasekara
Grade 2
Wesley College Primary
Havelock Town
