Poson is a festival celebrated in Sri Lankaon the full moon day in June. Poson Poya is important to Sri Lankan Buddhists as the day on which Emperor Asoka's son, Arahant Mahinda, introduced Buddhism to the island in the 3rd century B.C.

 

The focal point of the religious festival is the Buddhist monastic complex on the mountain of Mihintale, where Arahath Mahinda Thero preached Buddhism to one of the kings, king Devanampiyatissa, of Sri Lanka.

 

Houses are decorated with lanterns and lights to commemorate the day in a festive manner. The celebrations go on from 5 days to a week, starting from the full moon Poya day.

 

Buddhism is the main religion of Sri Lanka and is followed by 70.2% of the population. Of the remaining Sri Lankan population, 12.6% identify as Hindu, 9.7% identify as Muslim and 6.1% identify as Christian.