The festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the 8th lunar month, Asalha, of the old Indian calendar. Asalha is also the month of the starting of the monsoon. During this period the Buddha and His monks and nuns would hold their wanderings. Even today, monasteries keep a three month long 'rains retreat' which commences on the Dhamma day and the concludes on Pavarana. For all those who desire to join the order but just cannot renounce their present life, ordination as short term monks is also possible in this period.