Pavarana (end of the Rains Retreat) · Pavarana

Culture of origin: Buddhist · Cultural

Holiday sources: Buddhism

Pavarana, "inviting admonition", ends the three lunar months of Vassa: before the community, each monk invites the others to point out any offence he may have committed during the retreat, and the monks talk over the good and bad of their life together. The evening after the ceremony, lanterns are released into the sky. The next day the Kathina season begins, when lay people offer robes to the monks.