History of Duruthu Poya Day
The historical event of Duruthu Poya Day dates back to over 2500 years ago. It is believed that in his third year as an enlightened being, Lord Buddha visited Sri Lanka on the full moon day of January. This visit was made by taking permission from King Devanampiyatissa and was by the invitation of the King’s nephew, Arittha.Upon his arrival, Lord Buddha introduced Buddhism to the island nation and also initiated the conversion of King Devanampiyatissa and his subjects. This marked the beginning of the Buddhist era in Sri Lanka and is considered as a major event in the country’s history. On this day, Lord Buddha also preached his famous ‘Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta’ or the ‘Setting in Motion of the Wheel of Dharma’ to the Arittha and the group of monks that accompanied him on his journey.
The Significance of Duruthu Poya Day
The word ‘Duruthu’ itself has a special meaning in the Sinhalese language. It is derived from ‘Durudunu’, which translates to ‘youthfulness’. This is because Duruthu Poya Day symbolizes the youthfulness and freshness that Lord Buddha brought to Sri Lanka with his teachings of peace, compassion and enlightenment.This important religious event is observed with various religious activities and rituals at temples and shrines across the country. Buddhist devotees participate in various religious observances such as offering flowers, lighting oil lamps, and engaging in meditation and other spiritual practices. The day is also marked by the chanting of Buddhist scriptures and offering alms to the monks.
Duruthu Poya Day – A Day of Celebration and Reflection
Duruthu Poya Day is a time for Buddhists to reflect and remember the profound teachings of Lord Buddha, which are still relevant and valuable to us in the present day. It serves as a reminder to lead a virtuous life by following the principles of Buddhism and to strive towards achieving inner peace and true happiness.On this day, families gather to offer prayers at temples and spend time together in harmony and unity. The streets are adorned with colorful Buddhist flags and lanterns, and the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of incense. It is a joyous occasion for children as they look forward to enjoying traditional sweetmeats and participating in cultural performances.Amidst the celebrations, Duruthu Poya Day also serves as a call to strengthen our mind, body and spiritual well-being. It reminds us to let go of negative thoughts, to practice compassion and kindness towards all living beings, and to lead a life of morality and peace.
Making the Most of Duruthu Poya Day
Duruthu Poya Day is a holiday in Sri Lanka, and it is a time when the country comes together to celebrate and remember the first visit of Buddha. It is a day to contemplate and to work towards being a better person and contributing towards a better world. It is also an opportunity to learn about the rich history and teachings of Buddhism and to experience the serene and spiritual atmosphere in the temples and shrines.Let us join hands and celebrate Duruthu Poya Day with reverence and joy, and strive towards making our lives more meaningful and fulfilling, just like Lord Buddha has taught us to. Namo Buddhaaya! Duruthu Poya Day commemorates the first historical visit of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka in the 6th century BC. This auspicious day is celebrated by millions of Buddhists around the world with devotion, piety and gratitude. Duruthu Poya Day marks the beginning of the Buddhist era in Sri Lanka. It is believed that in his third year as an enlightened being, Lord Buddha visited Sri Lanka on the full moon day of January. Upon his arrival, Lord Buddha introduced Buddhism to the island nation and also initiated the conversion of King Devanampiyatissa and his subjects. The word ‘Duruthu’ itself has a special meaning in the Sinhalese language, which translates to ‘youthfulness’. This day is observed with various religious activities and rituals at temples and shrines across the country. Duruthu Poya Day serves as a reminder to lead a virtuous life by following the principles of Buddhism and to strive towards achieving inner peace and true happiness. It is a joyous occasion for children as they look forward to enjoying traditional sweetmeats and participating in cultural performances. Duruthu Poya Day is a time to contemplate and to work towards being a better person and contributing towards a better world. This day also serves as a call to strengthen our mind, body and spiritual well-being. Namo Buddhaaya is a commonly used phrase to pay homage to Buddha. 
