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Festivals
- Sri Lankan culture is best displayed in their festivals. There are many festivals that belong to different faiths and ethnicities commemorate on a grand scale throughout the year. Some significant and spectacular festivals are Sinhala New Year, Vesak festival, Poson festival, Perahera, Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) pilgrimage, and Vel festival.
Almost all the festivals and special occasions are celebrated with traditional Sri Lankan dance. There are three traditional dance forms that are associated with the ritualistic practices of the Sinhalese in Sri Lanka. The dance form belonging to the up-country region is known as “Udarata Natum” or Kandyan dance and that which is found in the southern coastal area is called “Pahatharata Natum” or low-country dance. The dance which is practiced in the province of Sabaragamuwa is referred to as “Sabaragamu Dance”. Especially at the Perahera celebrations, three dance forms are displayed vibrantly.
They are fantastic, interactive, and visually stunning cultural shows that entertaining visitors of any age from any continent.
Sinhala New Year
Traditional Sinhala and Hindu New Year in Sri Lanka is celebrated in the month of April. It marks the ending of the solar circuit and is considered auspicious by Sinhalese and Hindus.
Vesak Festival
The full-moon day in the month of May called “Vesak Poya Day”, commemorating the Birth, Enlightenment, and Demise of Lord Buddha. Vesak festival is celebrated with a blaze of lights, lanterns, and huge illuminated displays of pandols, and Thoranas. Food or drink donations at roadside booths at which free refreshments are distributed to all passers-by.
Poson Festival
Pososn festival is celebrated on the Full Moon Poya Day in the month of June. Officially introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka was occurred on this day by Arahat Mahinda, the son of Emperor Asoka in India in the 3rd Century BC.
Perahera
In the months of July and August the most fascinating cultural shows, the Kandy Esala perahara, and Kataragama perahera were held. The colorful processions are held for two weeks to express respect and sacrifice to the tooth relic of the Load Buddha and the God of Kataragama.
Sri Pada Pilgrimage
Sri Pada also called Adam's Peak, is a tapering mountain 7,360 feet above sea level, soaring clear above the surrounding mountain ranges. However, the altitude is no damper to the thousands of pilgrims who climb the mountain in endless procession during the early period of every year. When you climb it you see the clouds below you, shutting out your view of the base.
Vel Festival
The Vel Festival is celebrated by Hindus to honor Lord Sri Murukan. To mark the beginning of the Vel Festival, an ornate silver-plated chariot that contains the ayudha (weapons) and a statue of Lord Murukan is drawn by a pair of snow-white bulls or sometimes by hundreds of devotees dressed in an egalitarian white waistcloth.
- Sri Lankan culture is best displayed in their festivals. There are many festivals that belong to different faiths and ethnicities commemorate on a grand scale throughout the year. Some significant and spectacular festivals are Sinhala New Year, Vesak festival, Poson festival, Perahera, Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) pilgrimage, and Vel festival.
Almost all the festivals and special occasions are celebrated with traditional Sri Lankan dance. There are three traditional dance forms that are associated with the ritualistic practices of the Sinhalese in Sri Lanka. The dance form belonging to the up-country region is known as “Udarata Natum” or Kandyan dance and that which is found in the southern coastal area is called “Pahatharata Natum” or low-country dance. The dance which is practiced in the province of Sabaragamuwa is referred to as “Sabaragamu Dance”. Especially at the Perahera celebrations, three dance forms are displayed vibrantly.
They are fantastic, interactive, and visually stunning cultural shows that entertaining visitors of any age from any continent.
Sinhala New Year
Traditional Sinhala and Hindu New Year in Sri Lanka is celebrated in the month of April. It marks the ending of the solar circuit and is considered auspicious by Sinhalese and Hindus.
Vesak Festival
The full-moon day in the month of May called “Vesak Poya Day”, commemorating the Birth, Enlightenment, and Demise of Lord Buddha. Vesak festival is celebrated with a blaze of lights, lanterns, and huge illuminated displays of pandols, and Thoranas. Food or drink donations at roadside booths at which free refreshments are distributed to all passers-by.
Poson Festival
Pososn festival is celebrated on the Full Moon Poya Day in the month of June. Officially introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka was occurred on this day by Arahat Mahinda, the son of Emperor Asoka in India in the 3rd Century BC.
Perahera
In the months of July and August the most fascinating cultural shows, the Kandy Esala perahara, and Kataragama perahera were held. The colorful processions are held for two weeks to express respect and sacrifice to the tooth relic of the Load Buddha and the God of Kataragama.
Sri Pada Pilgrimage
Sri Pada also called Adam's Peak, is a tapering mountain 7,360 feet above sea level, soaring clear above the surrounding mountain ranges. However, the altitude is no damper to the thousands of pilgrims who climb the mountain in endless procession during the early period of every year. When you climb it you see the clouds below you, shutting out your view of the base.
Vel Festival
The Vel Festival is celebrated by Hindus to honor Lord Sri Murukan. To mark the beginning of the Vel Festival, an ornate silver-plated chariot that contains the ayudha (weapons) and a statue of Lord Murukan is drawn by a pair of snow-white bulls or sometimes by hundreds of devotees dressed in an egalitarian white waistcloth.
Fantastic Activities in Festivals
Okanda Devalaya, Kataragama Padayathra
ARUGAM BAY
- Okanda Devalaya on a rocky outcrop near the...
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Nagadeepa temple, Nagapooshani amman kovil
JAFFNA
- Nagadeepa or Nainativu is one of the smallest...
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Ratnapura Saman Devalaya, Saman Devala Perahera
RATNAPURA
- Ratnapura Saman Devalaya one of the most...
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Navam Perahera, Gangarama temple
COLOMBO
- Gangarama temple Navam Perahera is the vibrant and ebullient...
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Kelaniya Temple, Soliyas Mendis, Duruthu Perahera
COLOMBO
Kelaniya temple is one of the most... Read More
Kataragama temple
TISSAMAHARAMA
- Kataragama is a pilgrimage town famous not only Sri Lanka but...
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