Day 13 - Vesak

It's Vesak Full Moon Poya Day in Sri Lanka. Vesak is a Buddhist holiday and the day Buddhists in Sri Lanka celebrate the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Lord Buddha. I was told by many of my informants that Vesak celebrations in Anuradhapura district is not as grand as the celebrations in Colombo district because people in Anuradhapura had a stronger connection with the 'Poson' full moon day next month. The reason being that 'Poson'  was when 'Buddhism' arrived in Sri Lanka in 236BC and was accepted by the King in the now 'Anuradhapura' district in a place called 'Mihintale'. 

During Vesak, it is common to see 'Dansal' on the side of any road or street in Sri Lanka. 'Dansala' is the offering of food or drink to any and every person that will be passing through free of charge. It is believed to be a way of earning good merits in this life according to Buddhist philosophy.

We stopped at several Dansal today, one was serving rice and curry, one was serving ice coffee by the side of the road and the last one was serving ice cream in the neighbouring village temple.