Poson Poya



Poson Poya is a sacred day for Buddhists. They go on pilgrimage to Mihintale and observe sil and take part in religious activities there. Mihintale is a sacred place of worship to Buddhists. It is high up on a rocky hill. The story behind its importance is that Arahat Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa there. King was out with his courtiers on a deer hunt. It was Poson Poya day. Then he saw a stag and chased it on his horse. Suddenly he heard someone speaking to him and he stopped. The deer escaped. He asked the Arahat who he was because he called the King by name. The Arahat answered that he was the son of King Asoka of India. He said that he had come to propagate Buddhism, realized that he had done wrong. He regretted it. The Arahat was able to change the King's mind. After this meeting the Arahat asked several questions to find out whether King Devanampiyatissa was intelligent. The King answered well. Then the Arahat preached a sermon to Devanampiyatissa on Mihintale. The king became a devout Buddhist. The King Devanampiyatissa Buddhists venerate Mihintale. On Poson Poya day animals that are brought for slaughter are set free. They are given to other people to rear them.

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