Today (6) marks the Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day, the first full moon of the new year.
This poya day is a great religious and historical day specially for Sri Lankans because it marks the Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka after attaining the Enlightenment.
Upon the request of God Sumana Saman, the Buddha offered his hair relics (Kesha Dhathu) to the god and those relics are enshrined in the Mahiyangana Stupa.
The Buddha visited Uruvel Danawwa on a day like today and explained the way of Dhamma to about a 1,000 people, including Uruwela Kashyapa, Nadi Kashyapa and Gaya Kashyapa. It is believed that on this day, the Buddha visited Magadha Kingdom and preached dhamma to King Bimbisara and the citizens.
It is said that King Bimbisara offered the Veluvanarama to the Buddha and the Mahasangha on a Duruthu Poya day.
