Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day
| Date | Type |
|---|---|
23 Dec 2026 Wednesday | BankPublicMercantile |
13 Dec 2027 Monday | BankPublicMercantile |
Overview
Unduwap Poya, the last full moon of the year, commemorates the arrival in Sri Lanka of Theri Sangamitta, daughter of the Indian emperor Ashoka and sister of Arahant Mahinda, who had brought Buddhism to the island on Poson Poya some years earlier. Sangamitta arrived by sea at Dambakolapatuna in the Jaffna peninsula, carrying with her a sapling grown from the original Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, beneath which the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. The sapling was carried to Anuradhapura and ceremonially planted in the Mahamewna Gardens, where it still stands today as the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, venerated as the oldest documented, continuously tended tree in the world, since the original tree in India was destroyed centuries ago. Sangamitta's arrival is also credited with establishing the bhikkhuni order in Sri Lanka, extending the order founded earlier by Mahapajapati Gotami in India to the island.
Significance
Sangamitta, daughter of Emperor Ashoka, brought the sapling that was planted at Anuradhapura and is venerated today as the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, believed to be the oldest documented tree in the world.
How it's observed
Anuradhapura sees increased pilgrim traffic around this Poya. As always, alcohol sales are suspended nationwide for the day.
See the Sri Lanka long weekends list or use the interactive holiday planner.