Today is Duruthu Poya Day.
According to the belief of the Buddhists of Sri Lanka, it was on a Duruthu Poya Day, hundreds of years ago, that the Buddha first visited Sri Lanka.
In ancient historic chronicles of Sri Lanka it is mentioned that that the Lord Buddha visited the island in order to render peace as wars were afflicting the nation.
One of the most special festivals or events that take place during the Duruthu Poya is the Duruthu Festival, which includes the Duruthu Perahara or Procession.
The Duruthu Festival is one of the most prominent Buddhist festivals of Sri Lanka and it occurs around the Kelaniya region.
The Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, one of the most reputed temples of the area, is located along the banks of the Kelaniya River and it is the body that oversees the Duruthu Procession.