Kathina ceremony has become a popular custom among the Buddhists in Theravada Buddhist tradition. After the three months of observing rains retreat, the Robe Offering Season begins following the Pavārana (inviting admonition) ceremony on the last day of retreat which is the full moon day in October and lasts until the next full moon in November. The monks and devotees arrange a suitable date during this period to offer “Kathina Robe” to the group of monks who observed the rains retreat at a particular place. Kathina robe is a new robe offered to the monks who have observed the rain retreat. The Pāli word “Kathina” seems to have two meanings in the Buddhist literature. First it denotes “hardness” or “stiffness” due to greatness of this meritorious activity. Secondly, it refers to a wooden frame used by the monks to sew double layered robes together.

Offering a Kathina robe traces back to the time of the Buddha. Having recognized the need to have an extra robe, the Buddha has declared that the monks can receive an extra robe or cloth for a robe following the rains retreat.

The act of offering a Kathina robe is considered a rare opportunity to make merit because of two distinctive features. One is Kathina robe can be offered to the monks who only observe the rains retreat at a particular place, and secondly, it can be done once a year at the end of the rains retreat.