Vesak Poya festival celebrated in Sri Lanka

Why in news?

• Sri Lanka celebrated Vesak Poya, the holiest day of the Buddhist calendar.

About Vesak Poya festival:-

• Purpose of the festival:
  • It is celebrated to commemorate the birth, enlightenment (bodhi) and parinirvana of Gautam Buddha.
  • It is the holiest Buddhist festival in Sri Lanka.
• Form of the event:-
  • Deep spiritual devotion and vibrant public performances across the island.
  • Temples, streets and houses decorated with colourful lanterns, pandals and scenes from Buddha's life.
• Major places:
  • Presence of thousands of devotees in Nuwara Eliya (hill town).

President's role:

• President Anura Kumara Dissanayake formally inaugurated the Vesak festival.
• Commemorative stamp issued on the occasion of the inauguration.
  • ‘Sri Sannas Patra’ was given to recognize the historical religious places.

Arrangement of Dansal:

• 8,500+ Dansal stalls were set up across the island.
• Free food and refreshments are being distributed at these stalls

About Sri Lanka:

• An island nation located in South Asia.
• Located in the Indian Ocean, a short distance from the south-eastern coast of India.
• Separated from India by the Palk Strait.
• Capital:
  • Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (Legislative Capital).
  • Colombo (Economic and Commercial Capital).
• Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR).