Festivals And Celebrations In Ceylon.

Sri Lanka may be a country wealthy in culture and history and therefore the people of Ceylon like to find reasons to celebrate. we've highlighted some of the festivals, so that you'll be able to sample the Sri lankan culture during your visit

January

The colourful Thai Pongal festival celebrated by the Hindu devotees of Ceylon is celebrated on fourteen of Jan

The houses ar adorned in colourful Kolam, complex drawings done on the floors using flour. Special Pujas (prayer ceremonies) ar command in Kovils to worship the Sun God. it's customary to cook the Pongal meal and share it with neighbors, particularly non-hindus

February

Independence Day

Sri lanka acquired independence in 1948 on 04 th February. There ar several celebrations round the country on this special vacation and therefore the main one is sometimes in Parliamentary grounds in Sri Jayawardhanapura and is attended By politico, diplomats etc.

Maha Sivarathri

This important religious festival is command finish February or starting March. Poojas ar held through out the country all night and vigils ar command within the households.

Gangaramaya Navam Perahera

All guests to the Capital throughout this period will expertise the perahera and witness the colourfully dressed elephants and musicians and dancers parading within the streets of colombo.

April

Sinhala and Tamil New Year

Celebrated by all Sinhalese and Tamils, the standard New Year celebrations fall on between twelve to fourteen Apr and is that the celebration of Sun God's passage from Pisces to Aries. it's a harvest thanksgiving and is especially celebrated by the villagers in true ancient vogue. a colourful and lavish festival, this season is sometimes a vacation for the entire country. The New Year may be a time for friendships and family and many traditions ar determined according to the A strological time. New garments ar worn, milk poached and ancient ricemilk with sweets fill the tables. The youth pay the day engaged in various ancient games such as climbing a greased poll, pillow fighting, breaking a pot blindfold and therefore the ladies plating swinging. the ladies additionally fill the air with ancient drum instrument dressed in their twelvemonth costume.

Easter

Celebrated by Catholics round the country however primarily within the circumlittoral area around Kandana, Negombo etc., The Christ is acted- out for 3 hours and is a touchy expertise taking you to the mountain of Golgotha.

May

Wesak

Wesak , the most sacred of Buddhist festivals commemorating the Birth, Enlightenment and Death of Buddha is stayed the full moon day in could and therefore the day following it. beginning at dawn, Buddhists wearing white begin to create their way to the temple to observe sila , within which they spend the day meditating, reading spiritual texts, and listening to sermons. at night the temples ar crowded with devotees bringing flowers and offerings. yet, Wesak may be a joyous occasion and is celebrated with vitality and imagination. Among the various striking decorations ar intricate Wesak paper lanterns of various shapes and sizes, and therefore the thousands of very little clay oil lamps ( pol-thel pahana ) that glint throughout the island.

In colombo the celebrations ar best. monumental pandals (bamboo frameworks) adorned with photos depiction events within the life of Gautama Buddha ar erected within the streets, illuminated by a myriad of flashing colored electric lamp bulbs. Another special feature of Wesak ar the danselas (alms booths). These ar temporary sheds, started by the roadside with tables and chairs by native people, at that food and refreshment ar given absolve to sightseers and pilgrims. additionally, puppet shows and open-air theatre performances telling Buddhist tales ar held throughout the island.

July

The Esala Perahera in kandy

One of the foremost glamourous cultural processions within the world. The procession takes place on ten consecutive nights, wherever the first six nights ar known as Kumbal perahera and therefore the last four nights is the far more glamourous Randoli perahera with the ultimate night having a one hundred elephants adorned in attractive costumes parading. The event is splendent once a year since the 3 rd century AD to permit pilgrims to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic carried by the Diyawadana Nilame, chosen to be the trustee of the temple. The event is created colourful and vivid with several dancers and instrument players parading

August

Madhu festival and therefore the Feast of St. Anne

Celebrated by Catholics, The Madhu and therefore the St Annes church ar notable to have miracle statues. Devotees visit the pilgrimage site and pay time in prayer while overnight sleep is within the site outside the church.

If you happen to be in colombo at the time of the Esala Perahera in kandy, do create a note to visualize the spiritual celebrations of the Hindus, held in capital of Sri Lanka, another procession wherever the God of war carries his Vel (trident weapon) from the Muthuvinayagam swami Kovil in ocean Street, Pettah, to the Kathiresan in Bambalapitiya or Wellawatte. you'll be able to observe the fetival throughout the day, if you are on Galle Road between Pettah and Bambalapitiya.

November

Deepavali

This is the start of the financial year for the Hindu businessmen. The deity of wealth is welcome to homes adorned with Kolam and lit with lamps.

December

Christmas

The month of Christmas may be a high commerce month in capital of Sri Lanka wherever individuals ar making ready of Christmas and New Year celebrations. Christmas is especially glamourous in capital of Sri Lanka and therefore the coastal catholic areas, wherever the birth of Christ is celebrated with crackers, midnight mass, family gatherings and joyous sharing with the poor.

source:tourslanka.com