The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara or Kelaniya Temple is one of the most sacred Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. The original temple is believed to date back to the time of the Buddha (before 500 BCE) and his third and final visit to the island. Sri Lanka holds many Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian festivals throughout the year. The full moon day each month is celebrated by Buddhists as poya, and on these days no alcohol is sold with the exception of a few tourist enclaves. Most Hindu and Moslem festivals also follow the lunar calendar.

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