Festivals in Sri Lanka : DECEMBER

Festivals in Sri Lanka : DECEMBER: ­­­ Christmas Christmas is celebrated in Sri Lanka in true style, with all the traditional trappings – except snow – and is eagerly ...

January

Duruthu Perahera (25^th , 26^th , 27^th)

This colourful festival commemorates the Buddha’s visit to Kelaniya in the eighth year following his Enlightenment (535 BC). The procession commences and culminates at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Temple 7 miles (11km) northeast of Colombo. The kelaniya dagoba, unusual for its ‘’paddy heap’’ design, is attributed to King Yatala Tissa (3^rd Cent. BC) ; and the temple is renowned for its intricate wall paintings and murals. 

Thai Pongal (14^th)

This Hindu festival celebrates the harvest and honours the Hindu Sun deity. It is marked by many observance, including the ceremonial preparation and consumption of traditional sweetened and spiced rice called pongal. In rural areas it is followed immediately  after by Madu Pongal, which consecrates domestic livestock.

February

Independence Day (4^th)

Celebrations full of pomp and pageantry mark the anniversary of Independence from Great Britain in 1948.

Navam Perahera (25^th & 26^th)

This is undoubtedly Colombo’s grandest outdoor parade, with a splendid display of Sri Lanka’s traditional forms of art: including performance by rhythmic dancers and drummers from around the island in a procession of over 100 caparisoned elephants.

Maha Sivarathri

Held in late February or early March, this festival commemorates the union of Load Siva with his consort Parvati. 

March

By the end of the month many flowering trees begin to bloom, clothing cities and the countryside in gay attire; and several fruits are in season. The Medin Poya full moon is the climax of the Adam’s Peak pilgrimage season, which extends from December to May each year.

April

Sinhala & Tamil New Year

Sri Lanka’s two main ethnic groups-the Sinhalese and Tamils – celebrate a common New Year coinciding with the passage of the Sun from Pisces to Aries in April. The dawn of the New Year is celebrated with the observance of age-old customs, folk dances and theatre, and the playing of traditional games in every village and hamlet. Special foods and sweetmeats are delightful feature of this event.

April is the month of  fruits and flowers, as well as of festivals for all races and religions in Sri Lanka. Christians celebrate Easter ,  with Roman Catholic conducting a splendid passion play similar to that of Oberammergau at Duwa, off Negombo; and Hindus celebrate the Pattini Festival, chiefly at Badulla.

This is the warmest month of the year, during which many residents of Colombo retreat to the cooler climes of the hill country, especially to Nuwara Eliya: scene of numerous seasonal activities such as tennis and golf tournaments, horse races and exotic flowers shows. The towns of Bandarawela and Diyatalawa are also popular resorts. 

May

Vesak

A thrice blessed day for Buddhists, Vesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. It is celebrated with a blaze of lights, lanterns and huge illuminated displays known as pandals, as well as with street-plays, pantomimes, pageants and dansal – roadside booths at which free refreshments are distributed to all passers-by.

JUNE

Poson Festival – Mihintale

This full moon festival commemorates the advent of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3^rd century BC with the arrival in Mihintale of Arahat  Mahinda, son of Emperor Asoka of India, who preached the doctrine of the dhamma to King Devanampiyatissa: resulting in his the king’s conversion and the widespread acceptance of  Buddhism in Sri Lanka. This event is celebrated primarily at Mihintale and at the ancient capital of Anuradhapura.

Church Feast  - Our Lady of Madhu Church

Roman catholic’s celebrate the fortnight-long festival of Our Lady of Madhu, culminating on July 2 with the Feast of the Visitation , at the jungle shrine of Madhu near Mannar – popular among pilgrims of all religions for its reputed healing powers.