Today is Duruthu Full Moon Poya day, which is the first Poya of the year.

The significance of Duruthu Full Moon Poya is that it marks Lord Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka. It was on a day like today, nine months after the Enlightenment, that Gautama Buddha, set foot on Sri Lanka for the first time to solve a confrontation between the Yaksha and Naga Tribes.

From the skies above the current location of the Mahiyanganaya Stupaya, Lord Buddha mediated the conflict between the Yaksha and Naga tribes, spreading the message of peace.

Buddhist history also notes that the Divya Rajya, Sumana Saman built the Mahiyanganaya Chaithya, as an enclosure to hold the sacred hair relic given by Lord Buddha.

Meanwhile, the Duruthu Maha Perahera of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya paraded the streets last night

The Sadhathuka casket was placed onto the tusker of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya Under the auspices of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The inaugural Perahera for the year commenced thereafter.

The 100th Perehera of the Temple saw the participation of over 40 tuskers, which added colour to the Perehera which was viewed by thousands of spectators.

This Perahera with caparisoned elephants, low country and Sabaragamuwa dancers and other performers is probably only second to Sri Dalada Maligawa Esala Perahera held in the hill capital.

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