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Duruthu Full Moon Poya is celebrated on the first month in January by Buddhists all over the world.
Significance of Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day
- Gautama Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka was nine months after attaining Enlightenment. The Buddha first visited Mahiyangana about 2,500 years ago to put an end to fighting between the two main tribes in Sri Lanka.
- During Gauthama Buddha’s 1st visit, the local God Sumana Saman invited the Buddha to leave his sacred footprint on the peak of the Samanala Kanda (Sri Pada).
- Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day marks the beginning of the pilgrimage season to Samanala Mountain (Sri Pada) to worship the footprint of the Buddha.
This Poya day is celebrated with a colourful procession (Perahera) at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara.
-Mihi Deegodage
