Wesak is considered as both a religious and cultural festival in Sri Lanka. It is celebrated on the day of the full moon in May. Wesak Day is one of the biggest days of the year in the Buddhist calendar and is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world.Buddhists commemorate the important events that took place in the life of Lord Buddha on this Wesak Full Moon Poya Day. First comes the birth of Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini in Nepal which took place under the arbor of Sat trees where queen Mahamaya gave birth to him. The second event was Siddharta Gautam’s supreme attainment as the Buddha, the Enlightened One. The third event was Lord Buddha’s Parinibbana over 2500 years ago at Kusinagar.
Apart from Sri Lanka, many Asian countries including India, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia and Nepal celebrate Wesak. Many religious activities are organized during this period in Sri Lanka such as Sil campaigns, Bodhi Poojas, Dansalas(Freely giving foods, coffee, tea from people ), Wesak devotional songs (Bakthi Gee), pandols (thoran) and lanterns. Lot of Wesak pandols and Wesak Lanterns are making Colombo in Sri Lanka.
Other than the exclusive religious aspects of the festival, the Buddhists of Sri Lanka, decorate their houses and public places and arrange for various cultural events to bring happiness to everyone on that day
