Millions of Buddhists including majority of Sri Lankans have been celebrating "Vesak Festival " (VaiÅ›Äkha,-in sanskrit, Veasak Poya in Sinhala) today(24)which marks the birth,enlightenment (nirvana)and demise(Parinirvana) of Lord Buddha the founder of Buddhism.this traditional holy day has mainly observed by Buddhists in Sri Lanka,Tibet, India,Bangladesh,Bhutan,Nepal,Singapore,Thailand,Vietnam,Cambodia,Laos,Philippines Malaysia,Myanmar and Indonesia.
Buddhism varies according to countries as Theravada and Mahayana.according to Wikipedia In Theravada countries following the Buddhist Calender, it falls on a full moon Uposatha day, typically in the 5th or 6th lunar month. VesÄkha Day in China and Korea is on the eighth of the fourth month in the Chinese Lunar Calender. The date varies from year to year in the Western Gregorian calendar, but usually falls in April or May. In leap years VesÄkha is celebrated in June.
In Sri Lanka where majority are Buddhists celebrating this festival with making colorful Pandals,lighting Buckets and Lanterns, giving alms(Dana) through Alms Centers(Dansal).the Vesak day which also the traditional full moon poya day here and the day after Vesak are declared as holidays in Sri Lanka.