Unduvap Poya falls on the full moon day of Unduvap, the ninth month of the Sinhalese lunar calendar, which typically corresponds to December in the Gregorian calendar. It is one of the most spiritually significant Poya days in Sri Lanka, commemorating an event that shaped the island's Buddhist identity more than two thousand years ago — the arrival of the sacred Bo tree sapling in Anuradhapura.
What is the significance of Unduvap Poya?
Unduvap Poya commemorates the arrival of Sangamitta Theri, the daughter of the Indian Emperor Ashoka, on the shores of Sri Lanka. She carried with her a sapling from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi — the very tree under which the Buddha is said to have attained Enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India. Her journey is considered one of the most consequential events in Sri Lanka's religious history, bringing both the Bodhi sapling and the order of Buddhist nuns (Bhikkhuni Sasana) to the island.
The day also honours Sangamitta's personal sacrifice: she left her home and family to dedicate her life to spreading the Dhamma, making Unduvap Poya a celebration of both devotion and renunciation.
What is the history of the sacred Bo tree in Anuradhapura?
In the 3rd century BC, Sangamitta Theri transported a southern branch of the Bodhi tree from Bodh Gaya to Sri Lanka, arriving on Unduvap Poya day. King Devanampiya Tissa received the sapling and planted it in 288 BC in the Mahamevnawa Park in Anuradhapura. The tree has been tended and venerated continuously ever since, making it the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a confirmed planting date — a fact that distinguishes it from every other sacred tree on earth.
Today, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura is one of the most revered Buddhist relics in Sri Lanka and draws pilgrims from across Asia year-round. On Unduvap Poya day, the site is especially busy, with thousands of devotees making the journey to offer flowers, light oil lamps, and observe the five precepts.
Where is Anuradhapura and why does it matter?
Anuradhapura served as Sri Lanka's first capital and its principal seat of Buddhist civilisation for more than 1,300 years. At its height, the city was home to enormous dagobas (stupas), royal palaces, intricate irrigation systems, and sprawling monastic complexes. It was abandoned following an invasion in 993 AD and gradually swallowed by the surrounding forest, only to be rediscovered, excavated, and restored in the modern era.
In 1982, Anuradhapura was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its outstanding universal cultural and religious value. Visitors today can walk among the ancient stupas — including Ruwanwelisaya and Jetavanaramaya — as well as explore the remains of monasteries and royal buildings that once defined one of South Asia's great urban centres.
How do Sri Lankans observe Unduvap Poya?
Like all Poya days, Unduvap is a public holiday throughout Sri Lanka. Alcohol sales are restricted, and most devout Buddhists follow a stricter daily routine that includes visiting the temple, listening to Dhamma sermons, and observing Sil — a practice of taking the eight precepts for the day. Devotees dress in white as a mark of religious observance.
At Anuradhapura, Unduvap Poya draws particularly large crowds. Pilgrims travel from every corner of the island to circumambulate the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, offer puja, and participate in all-night religious observances. The atmosphere combines deep solemnity with a communal warmth that is characteristic of Sri Lankan Buddhist culture.
Is Unduvap Poya also significant for women in Sri Lanka?
Yes, and this dimension of the day is often overlooked. Sangamitta Theri's arrival established the Bhikkhuni Sasana — the order of Buddhist nuns — in Sri Lanka. Her contribution meant that women could formally ordain and pursue the monastic path, a right that had not previously existed on the island. For this reason, Unduvap Poya holds particular resonance in discussions about women's roles in Theravada Buddhism and is sometimes observed with specific ceremonies honouring Sangamitta's legacy.
What else can travellers visit in and around Anuradhapura?
Beyond the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura offers an extraordinary concentration of ancient monuments spread across a wide archaeological zone. The towering Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba, the ruins of the Thuparama — considered the oldest dagoba in Sri Lanka — and the vast Abhayagiri Monastery complex are all within reach. The surrounding region also includes Wilpattu National Park, Sri Lanka's largest national park, where leopards, sloth bears, and elephants roam around the lake-studded landscape.
Travellers with more time often pair Anuradhapura with Polonnaruwa, the island's second ancient capital, to trace the arc of Sri Lanka's early civilisations across a single itinerary. The two cities sit within the broader Cultural Triangle and complement each other well — Anuradhapura for its living religious traditions, Polonnaruwa for its remarkably intact medieval structures.
When should you plan a visit to Anuradhapura for Unduvap Poya?
December is generally a good time to visit the North Central Province where Anuradhapura sits. The monsoon rains that affect the south and southwest of the island have typically eased by this point, and temperatures are more manageable than in the height of the dry season. Travelling around the Poya day itself means witnessing the city at its most spiritually alive, though accommodation books out quickly — planning several weeks ahead is advisable. If you prefer a quieter visit, arriving a day or two before or after the full moon gives you full access to all the monuments with notably smaller crowds.
