Wesak Festival

New Year celebrations are almost over. I was not really ready for it being busy and as my grandmother was in hospital. And in the end of April there was a funeral of one of my uncles. Month of May is important for Buddhists all over the world.  And I was born in May too.  Wesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Gautama Buddha. Pandals තොරණ are erected around major cities mostly from 550 Jathaka Kathas. There are poetic elaborations describing each part of the Pandal. Lanterns will be hung in almost every Buddhist Household and colourful bulbs are lit. Yesterday on the Wesak Full Moon Poya Day I went to a Dansala of Sweetmeats. Of course they were tasty and really liked them. I don’t think it would be necessary to talk about whether these days’ dansalas are actually intended for needy. I really like the concept of Dansalas and almsgiving. There were certain times when people came to Dansala and stayed in the town for days until the Dansala was over.  Dansala is usually a food stall in which foods are given for free.  With the time Dansalas have evolved and there are of course Dansalas with exclusion of Food items. Do whatever you can for the needy whenever you are capable of.