Buddhism (Theravada) : The celebrations consist of two events, Indra Jatra and Kumari Jatra. Indra Jatra is marked by masked dances of deities and demons, displays of sacred images and tableaus in honor of the deity Indra, the king of heaven. Kumari Jatra is the chariot procession of the living goddess Kumari.

Buddhism (Theravada) : Even before the birth of Buddhism, Asian ascetics in the ancient times when there were no calendars, made it a practice on full moon days to cease worldly pursuits and engage themselves in religious activities. The Buddha adopted this practice and from this developed the preaching of the Buddhist texts and commentaries (bana) in monasteries and temples on full moon Poya days. And when the Venerable Arahat Mahinda Thero introduced Buddhism to this country in 247 BC he also introduced the Poya tradition.

Buddhism (Theravada) : Celebrates the obtaining of Vivarana (the assurance of becoming a Buddha) by the Bodhisatta Maitriya and the commissioning of 60 disciples by The Buddha to disperse his teachings. http://www.mysrilanka.com/travel/lanka/festivals/POSON.HTM

Buddhism (Theravada) :

Buddhism (Theravada) :

Buddhism (Theravada) : Bouk Khao Pansa marks the end of Buddhist Lent and all those couples who had been putting off marriage now rush into each other's arms. Monks are free to travel from kyaung to kyaung or to go on pilgrimage to holy spots. in Vientiane only

Buddhism (Theravada) : Marks the end of the Rainy Retreat period (Vassana-Samaya). The Bhikkus stay indoors in the temples and observe the Bhavana meditation and other religious activities. This is the end and climax of the rainy season.

Buddhism (Theravada) : That Luang is the national symbol and most important religious monument of Laos. Vientiane's most important Theravada Buddhist festival, Boun That Luang , is held here for three days during the full moon of the twelfth lunar month not a paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday [Wikipedia]

Buddhism (Theravada) : Arrival of the Bo-tree sapling. This was brought to Sri Lanka from India by Buddhist Theri Sanghamitta, and it is this very tree that is venerated by Buddhists in Anuradhapura. It is also the oldest documented tree in the world. Sanghamitta Theri established the Bhikkhuni Sasana (the Order of Nuns). paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday

Buddhism (Theravada) : Tamang New Year - This community has a tradition of associating years with the symbols of 12 different animals (starting with Rat and ending with Boar).

Buddhism (Theravada) : Magh Sankrati in honor of the contribution of then King Prithivi Narayan Shah, the builder of modern Nepal

Buddhism (Theravada) : Commemorates Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka. This visit too took place in the first year of the Buddha's preaching. http://www.mysrilanka.com/travel/lanka/festivals/POSON.HTM

Buddhism (Theravada) : The new year is called Losar, and is celebrated according to the highly complicated Bhutanese calendar.

Buddhism (Theravada) : The festival of the lunar New Year, Tsagaan Sar, is celebrated in or around February depending on the Mongolian lunar calendar. It generally coincides with other lunar New Year celebrations, like the Chinese. Often, however, Mongolians deny any Chinese origin or influence. In the 1960s, the communist government tried to transform it into Cattle Breeders` Day and official celebration was stopped. On the day of Tsagaan Sar increased checks on employee presence would occur. Neverthless, like with other traditionsand religious activities, some families remain a surreptious practise, especially in countryside. When the party tries to reaffirm traditional values in the late eighties it again becomes a public holiday. Still the festival has its pre-revolutionary character of reaffirming kin ties. Tsagaan Sar, meaning White Month or Moon, is one the main two big public annual events, next to the Nadaam. It marks the end of Winter and the beginning of spring and the new year´s cycle. Reverted to Tibetan calendar in 2005. in Kalmykia-Khalm Tangch, Buryatia, Tyva http://mongoluls.net/tsagaansar.shtml

Buddhism (Theravada) : Tamang New Year - This community has a tradition of associating years with the symbols of 12 different animals (starting with Rat and ending with Boar).

Buddhism (Theravada) : The new year is called Losar, and is celebrated according to the highly complicated Bhutanese calendar.

Buddhism (Theravada) :

Buddhism (Theravada) :

Buddhism (Theravada) : Commemorates the death of Buddha. It is believed that Buddha’s death should be celebrated because at his death he had reached Enlightenment and had finally reached the stage of Nirvana.

Buddhism (Theravada) : Celebrates the following events in Buddhist history: Entrance into the order of two leading disciples of The Buddha (Sariputta and Maha Moggalana), The Buddha proclaims for the first time a code of fundamental ethical precepts for the monks. The Buddha announces that within three months His Parinibbana (death) will take place. http://www.mysrilanka.com/travel/lanka/festivals/POSON.HTM

Buddhism (Theravada) : On the first day pilgrims go to pay homage to the most sacred statue of Sakya Muni in Jokhang temple and burn incense all around Jokhang as well as at all Tibetan homes.

Buddhism (Theravada) : The festival of the lunar New Year, Tsagaan Sar, is celebrated in or around February depending on the Mongolian lunar calendar. It generally coincides with other lunar New Year celebrations, like the Chinese. Often, however, Mongolians deny any Chinese origin or influence. In the 1960s, the communist government tried to transform it into Cattle Breeders` Day and official celebration was stopped. On the day of Tsagaan Sar increased checks on employee presence would occur. Neverthless, like with other traditionsand religious activities, some families remain a surreptious practise, especially in countryside. When the party tries to reaffirm traditional values in the late eighties it again becomes a public holiday. Still the festival has its pre-revolutionary character of reaffirming kin ties. Tsagaan Sar, meaning White Month or Moon, is one the main two big public annual events, next to the Nadaam. It marks the end of Winter and the beginning of spring and the new year´s cycle. Reverted to Tibetan calendar in 2005. in Kalmykia-Khalm Tangch, Buryatia, Tyva

Buddhism (Theravada) : Commemorates the visit of The Buddha to his home to preach to his father King Suddhodana and other relatives and show them the path to enlightenment and final deliverance.