Buddhist calendar - Uposatha days
Duruthu (phussa) uposatha - 3. January 2026
The Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka
Duruthu uposatha is the first poya day of the year and commemorates the first visit of Gautama Buddha to Sri Lanka, which took place shortly after his Enlightenment. According to traditional chronicles, the Buddha visited the area of Mahiyanganaya, where he intervened in a conflict between two main tribes of the island. Through his teaching, he helped to calm the dispute and restore mutual respect. This event is still seen as a symbol of the power of the Dhamma to bring peace and understanding.
The ordination of ven. Sāriputta and ven. Mahā Moggalāna & First Buddhist council
Navam poya holds special significance for Buddhists in Sri Lanka as it commemorates two important events connected with the teaching of Gautama Buddha. It marks the appointment of the Venerable Sāriputta and
Mahā Moggalāna as the two chief disciples of the Buddha.
It also recalls the First Buddhist Council, held shortly after the Buddha’s Parinibbāna, where the teachings were recited and the Vinaya established, preserving the Dhamma for future generations.
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Navam (māgha) uposatha - February 1 2026
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Medin (phagguṇa) uposatha - March 2 2026
The first return of Gautama Buddha
to Kapilavatthu
This day commemorates the first return of Gautama Buddha to his native kingdom of Kapilavatthu after attaining Enlightenment. After many years, he taught the Dhamma to his father, King Suddhodana, who attained the stage of sotāpanna shortly before his passing. Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī, his foster mother, requested to join the Saṅgha and later became the first bhikkhunī together with many other women. Princess Yasodhara also embraced the teachings and became a devoted follower of the Dhamma.
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The second Buddha’s visit to Sri Lanka & Sri Lankan New Year
This day commemorates the second visit of Gautama Buddha to Sri Lanka, believed to have taken place in the fifth year after his Enlightenment, and is also associated with the Sri Lankan New Year. According to the chronicle Mahāvaṃsa, the Buddha visited Nāgadīpa to settle a dispute between two Naga clans and bring peace to the island. Through his teaching, he calmed the conflict and restored harmony among the opposing groups.
Bak (citta) uposatha - April 1 2026
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Vesak (vesākhā) uposatha - May 1 2026
Three Significant Events in the Life of Siddhattha Gautama
Vesak commemorates three key events in the life of Gautama Buddha – his birth, Enlightenment, and passing into Parinibbāna, all traditionally believed to have occurred on the same day. Celebrated according to the lunar calendar, it usually falls in May and is one of the most important festivals in the Buddhist year. In Sri Lanka, it begins with a visit to the temple, where devotees offer flowers, candles, and incense, and engage in meditation and reflection. These practices express gratitude, respect, and a deep connection to the Dhamma.
The establishment of Buddhism in Sri Lanka
Poson commemorates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE and is one of the island’s most important religious festivals. It marks the moment when the arahant Mahinda, son of Emperor Ashoka, brought the Dhamma to King Devanampiya Tissa, establishing Buddhism in the country. The main centers of celebration are Mihintale and the ancient city of Anurādhapura, where large numbers of pilgrims gather. The day is observed with religious practices, meditation, and beautiful illuminations.
Poson (jeṭṭhā) uposatha - June 29 2026
Esala (āsāḷhā) uposatha - July 29 2026
The First Discourse of the Buddha &
Beginning of rain retreats
Esala poya marks the Day of the Dhamma – the first discourse of Gautama Buddha, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, delivered at Isipatana to the five ascetics. Among them was Aññā Kondañña, who became the first to attain realization, marking the beginning of the Saṅgha. This day is also associated with the arrival of the sacred Tooth Relic in Sri Lanka and the beginning of the rains retreat. Esala thus represents the moment when the Dhamma was first set in motion and began to be transmitted to the world.
Vassa - three-month period of retreat
Vassa is a three-month period of retreat and reflection observed in the Theravāda tradition following the time established by Gautama Buddha. During the rainy season, monastics remain in one place, usually within a monastery, dedicating themselves to deeper meditation and study of the Dhamma. Lay practitioners also take this opportunity to deepen their practice, often adopting more disciplined ethical observances. Vassa thus becomes a time of stillness, discipline, and inner cultivation on the path to liberation.
Vassa (vassāna) July 29 - October 25 2026
Nikini (sāvana) uposatha - August 27 2026
The first Buddhist council (saṅgayāna)
Nikini Poya commemorates the anniversary of the first Buddhist council (Saṅgayāna), held in the Sattapanni Cave at Rājagahanuwara shortly after the Buddha’s Parinibbāna. Three months after his passing, the senior disciples sought to establish and enforce principles and rules for the Mahā Saṅgha. Central to the council’s success was the Treasurer of the Dhamma, Venerable Ānanda, who attained arahantship the night before the council. This day is also associated with Venerable Rāhula, the Buddha’s son, attaining arahantship. Nikini Poya is the second Poya of the Vassa season and usually falls in August.
The establishment of the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha
Bināra Poya commemorates the establishment of the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha, the female monastic order in Sri Lanka. The first bhikkhunī was Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī, the Buddha’s stepmother and younger sister of Queen Mahā Māyā, who raised Prince Siddhattha after the queen’s death. During this month, the Vassa season continues, and the bhikkhunīs remain in their monasteries, engaged in meditation and spiritual practice. Bināra Poya thus celebrates a key milestone in the history of the female Buddhist community.
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Bināra (poṭṭhapāda) uposatha
September 26 2026
Vap (assayuja) uposatha - Pavāraṇā October 25 2026
The end of Vassa & the day of the Abhidhamma
Vap Poya marks the end of the Vassa season and is associated with several significant events in Buddhist tradition. According to accounts, on this day, the Buddha returned to Sankassa Pura from the heavenly realm of Tāvatiṃsa, where his mother, who had passed away a week after his birth, resided. There, he taught her the Abhidhamma – the deepest aspect of his philosophy – enabling her to attain sotāpanna. Vap Poya also commemorates the entry of the future Buddha, Maithri Buddha, as a Bodhisattva into the Order with 500 followers. This day thus combines the conclusion of retreat, the teaching of the Dhamma, and the historical establishment of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
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Il (kattikā) uposatha - November 24 2026
Il Poya commemorates important events during the lifetime of Gautama Buddha, notably the passing of his chief disciple Sāriputta. Born in Nālaka, Magadha, he was regarded as the most brilliant of the Buddha’s disciples. With the Buddha’s permission, Sāriputta traveled with a retinue of bhikkhus to his birthplace to complete his journey to Nibbāna, where he also converted his mother Rūpasari from the Brahmin faith to Buddhism. Il Poya also commemorates the granting of Vivaraṇa to the future Buddha, Maitreya Bodhisattva, and the commissioning of sixty disciples to disseminate the Buddha’s teachings. According to tradition, the foundation stone of Thūparāmaya, Sri Lanka’s first stupa after the introduction of Buddhism, was laid on this day, attracting pilgrims who offer flowers and reflect on the Dhamma.
The passing of Venerable Sāriputta & the granting of vivaraṇa to the future Buddha - Maitreya bodhisatta & the ordination of sixty disciples
Unduvap (māgasira) uposatha
December 23 2026
The arrival of the Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka
Unduvap Poya commemorates the arrival of the Bodhi tree in Anurādhapura, brought to Sri Lanka by Saṅghamittā, daughter of Emperor Ashoka. According to tradition, the Buddha attained Enlightenment while meditating under the Bodhi Tree in Bihar, India. In the 3rd century BCE, the sapling was planted by King Devanampiya Tissa in Mahāmevnāwa Park, where it still grows today, making it the oldest known human-planted tree in the world with a recorded planting date. Unduvap Poya thus celebrates the symbolic beginning of Buddhism and the enduring connection to the Dhamma.
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