Vesak festival

 Vesak festival

Vesak is one of the most important festivals in Buddhism. The full moon day of the month of Vesak is the day most Buddhists celebrate this festival. Vesak Day covers all three aspects of the Buddha's birth, Enlightenment and Pirinivan.Vesak has a long history. The travelogue of the Fa-hien monks shows that it was celebrated even in ancient India. BC The Mahavamsa states that this festival was celebrated even in the second century. Although it could not be held as a state level festival during the foreign invasions of Sri Lanka at various times in the past, the Lak Buddhists celebrated Vesak as much as possible.King Duttagamini the Great who ruled Ceylon in the 2nd century BC celebrated 24 Vesak festivals, King Bathiya celebrated 28 Vesak festivals and King Vasabha celebrated 44 Vesak festivals. In addition, King Voharatissa, King Jettatissa, King Dalamugalan, King Dewana Sena etc. were especially famous for holding Vesak festivals. King Parakramabahu the Great who lived in the Polonnaruwa period gave a special royal patronage to the Vesak festival. 

The Poojavaliya describes a Vesak festival held by King Panditha Parakramabahu who lived during the Dambadeniya period.Buddhists around the world do not celebrate Vesak as a joyous festival. They rejoice in almsgiving. This situation is also seen in Hindu, Christian and Islamic festivals. Dansals, Bodhi Poojas, Pahan Poojas, Abhaya Dana Poojas, Blood Donations, Public Shramadana Shramadana, Tree Planting etc. are performed in large numbers during this period. Are also engaged in religious rites.