Events
Sri Lanka may be a little island, but nothing makes it happier than a big celebration. And, with it’s diverse religious and ethnic groups, it appears like Sri Lanka is always celebrating something. The majority of the people is Buddhist, with over 70% of the population practising Buddhism, although there are also significant Hindu, Muslim, and Christian minorities.
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Duruthu Perahera
This parade is celebrated on the 25th, 26th, and 27th of January to commemorate the Buddha’s visit to Kelaniya. The procession begins and ends at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya Temple (North- East Colombo).
Thai Pongal
Thai Pongal is commemorated on the first day of the tenth month of the Tamil calendar (Mid-January). Thai Pongal is celebrated to thank Surya, the Rain God Indra, and the livestock for a bountiful crop. Using rice paste or powder, kolams or Rangolis are drawn in front of the dwellings. Rice, jaggery, and milk are used to prepare the initial harvest from the paddy fields. When the boiling preparation is turned over, it is claimed to set the course of luck for the rest of the year.
Independence Day
Any country’s independence day is significant to its population, and therefore it is one of Sri Lanka’s most important holidays. Sri Lanka gained independence from colonial domination on February 4, 1948. Every year, the entire country comes together to commemorate this auspicious day with rituals and parades. You may witness military parades, flag-hoisting ceremonies, firework displays, cannon fire shows, and cultural performances while touring the nation.
Navam Perahera
The primary celebration in Sri Lanka is Navam Perahera, which is a colourful blend of parades and rituals. Navam Perahera was initially observed in the Gangaramaya temple in Colombo in 1979. This event is grandly celebrated, with fire dancers, whip crackers, flag bearers, and hundreds of elephants. You may also see magnificent traditional dances like as Uda Rata, Pahatha Rata, and Sabaragamuwa. If you enjoy music, you may watch drummers and flautists play. Navam Perahera is one of Sri Lanka’s most intriguing festivities.
Maha Shivarathri
A Hindu festival held in late February or early March, honouring the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. Prayers are held all night, in addition to private celebrations and temple gatherings. While meditation practises are one sort of celebration, some temples also host concerts and dance performances to add to the festive atmosphere.
Sinhala and Tamil New Year
Every year, in mid-April, the entire country is wrapped in a joyous atmosphere to commemorate the Lunar New Year. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, among other holidays in Sri Lanka, is notably celebrated with great pomp and show to commemorate the conclusion of the harvest season and the beginning of spring. People are preoccupied with cleaning and decorating their houses, making traditional sweets, eating dinners with their families, and showing off their new attire. To add to the enjoyment, the celebrations include anointing youngsters with herbal oils, igniting firecrackers, and organising competitive activities.
Vesak Festival
Vesak Poya is one of Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist holidays, commemorating three significant events in Buddha’s life: his birth, enlightenment, and nirvana. Celebrations begin on a full moon day and last up to a week, lighting every home, street, and store with the magnificent light of multicoloured lanterns called Vesak kudu, which symbolise Buddha’s light. Cities such as Colombo and Kandy dazzle with lit-up pandals showing intricate panels from the Jataka legends, while small clay lamps illuminate villages across Sri Lanka’s Vesak festival celebrations.
Poson Poya Festival
This festival held on the full moon day of June, also known as Poson Poya, is the second most prominent among Buddhist holidays held in Sri Lanka. Poson Festival is also historically significant since it marks the arrival of Buddhism on the island in the third century. The celebrations, like Vesak, involve lanterns, pandals, and alms-stalls around the island in the genuine spirit of Buddhist customs and teachings. The most elaborate celebrations take place in and around the Mihintale rock outcrop, where Buddha’s disciple Mahinda first expounded Buddhist principles to King Devanampiyatissa. Attend Poson because it is Sri Lanka’s most significant celebration.
Kandy Esala Perahera
The Festival of the Tooth or mostly known The Esala Maha Perahera, one of the most important religious holidays in Sri Lanka, pays honour to the precious tooth relic of Buddha, which is housed at the famed Temple of Tooth in Kandy, and the four ‘guardian’ Gods Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama, and Goddess Pattini. Every day for about 10 days, a stunning procession of traditional dancers, drummers, and elephants dressed in exquisite finery parades through the streets of the city. The last night’s excitement, fervour, and celebrations must be seen to be believed. It is highly recommended that you secure a seat in advance to fully appreciate the show.
Eid Ul-Fitr (Ramadan)
Although Muslims constitute just 7% of the population, Muslim celebrations are celebrated with tremendous delight and tradition due to their dominance in city trade and business. All Muslims in Sri Lanka, children and adults alike, look forward to the fasting month of Ramadan on the Muslim calendar. In comparison to the rest of the year, this is a period of relaxed work hours and more conventional living for Muslims.
Deepavali
Deepavali, also known as the Holiday of Lights, is a Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of virtue over evil. Deepavali is celebrated lavishly in Sri Lanka by lighting lights, exploding firecrackers, singing, dancing, donning new clothing, visiting Hindu temples, exchanging presents, and gathering with loved ones over rich feasts. The purpose of lighting oil lamps is to obtain blessings from the Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth).
Christmas
Christmas celebrates the Birth of Jesus, which occurred on December 25th, 1 BC, according to tradition. Most nations will have a public holiday on December 25th. If the 25th of December falls on a weekend, a neighbouring weekday may be declared a holiday in its place.
