Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day is a public holiday in Sri Lanka, celebrated on the full moon day of Unduvap, the last month of the Sinhalese calendar which typically falls in December. This day holds significant religious importance for the Buddhist community in the country. It commemorates the arrival of Sangamitta Theri in Sri Lanka who brought with her the Bodhi Tree under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment.
The Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day is marked by various religious activities throughout the country. Devotees congregate in Buddhist temples for prayers, sermons, and processions. People engage in giving, charity, meditation, and observing the five Buddhist precepts. It is also a time when colourful processions, known as Perahera, take place in the streets of towns and cities in Sri Lanka.
The event is very much a family affair, with people wearing white as a sign of purity. Many Buddhists refrain from eating meat and consuming alcohol on this day. The most significant celebration takes place in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, where the sacred Bodhi Tree is kept and revered. Thousands of lamps are lit around the tree, creating a mesmerizing sight. This both crowns the other activities of the day and beautifully encapsulates the devotion of Buddhists during the Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day.