Poya
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- For the town in New Caledonia, see Poya, New Caledonia.
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Poya or Poya Day is the name given to a Buddhist public holiday in Sri Lanka which occurs every full moon day. The Full moon is important to Buddhists all around the world, who have adopted the Lunar Calendar for their religious observances. Owing to the moon's fullness of size as well as its effulgence, the full moon day is treated as the most auspicious of the four lunar phases occurring once every lunar month (29.5 days) and thus marked by a holiday.
Every full moon day is known as a Poya in Sinhala; this is when a practicing Buddhist visits the Temple for the rituals of worship. There are 12 Poyas for a year. The term poya is derived from the Pali and Sanskrit form uposatha (from upa + vas: to fast) primarily signifying "fast day". Generally shops and businesses are closed on Poya Days, and the sale of alcohol and meat is forbidden.
List of each poya day:
January : Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day
February : Navam Full Moon Poya Day
March : Medin Full Moon Poya Day
April : Bak Full Moon Poya Day
May : Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
June : Poson Full Moon Poya Day
July : Esala Full Moon Poya Day
August : Nikini Full Moon Poya Day
September : Binara Full Moon Poya Day
October : Vap Full Moon Poya Day
November : Il Full Moon Poya Day
December : Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day
