Poya 2993409 225075299 2008-07-11T19:33:24Z 68.39.174.238 RTE :''For the town in New Caledonia, see [[Poya, New Caledonia]].'' {{context}} {{buddhism}} '''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 [[Sinhalese language|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 [[Pāli|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