Celebrate Exotic Festivals and Events in Sri Lanka
Celebrate Exotic Festivals and Events in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's long colourful history of ancient civilisations and colonialism has resulted in a multicultural society celebrating exotic festivals and events. Mostly of religious and customary origin these festivals are spread through out the year. Celebrations of any form bring Sri Lankans together in an enthusiastic display of rejoicing. With the festivity mood throughout the year, the colourful extravagance and vivid traditional rituals are bound to keep visitors to the island enchanted. The year begins with the colourful Thai Pongal Festival. A harvest festival celebrated by the Tamils in Sri Lanka, its one of the merriest festivals. This family oriented festival starts with the boiling of a clay pot of Pongal' rice at the dawn of the day. This sweet rice pudding is offered to the Sun God as thanksgiving and is then shared and eaten at a family meal. Colourful Kolam', a form of sand painting drawn with rice powder depicting a prayer, is used to decorate the front of their homes. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, or simply termed Avurudu', is celebrated during the month of April. Originated as a harvest thanksgiving, the festival is in complete harmony with Mother Nature; newly blossomed flowers adorn trees and the season is heralded by the cooing of the koha', the koel bird. Country kitchens are busy preparing an assortment of sweet aromatic local sweetmeats and colourfully clad locals can be seen taking part in various activities such as drumming the rabana', an enormous one sided tambourine, playing games, singing and merrymaking. The month of May brings the Vesak' celebrations, the single most important celebration for the Buddhists in the island. Encompassing the birth, Enlightment and passing away of Gautama Buddha, Vesak is a religious and cultural festival celebrated on the full moon of the month of May. Homes and streets are decorated with colourful lanterns, electrically lit pandols' illustrating the past lives of Lord Buddha are erected in towns to add to the glamour, people gather to sing Buddhist devotional songs and Buddhist devotees organize dansal' to provide free food and beverages to passers-by. During the Vesak period alcohol is usually prohibited and most people get involved in religious activities. One of the most glamorous cultural processions in the world is held in Kandy during the month of August. Lasting 10 consecutive nights, the 'Esala Perahera' is an annual event being celebrated since the 3rd century AD organised in order to allow pilgrims to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. The event is embellished with more than 100 elephants adorned in elegant and colourful costumes, hundreds of drummers and dancers clad in traditional costumes, and hundreds of torch bearers lighting up the pageant transforming the town in to one big carnival. Whilst the dancers and drummers take to the streets in Kandy the streets is Colombo boast the colourful Vel celebrations - a religous celebration of the Hindus. Held in honour of the Lord Sri Murukan, God of War, Vel is an annual festival celebrated in most parts of the island. Celebrated on a bigger scale in Colombo, a colourful ornately decorated Vel chariot carrying the weapons of the god are paraded from one temple to another the Muthuvinayagam Swami Kovil in Sea Street, Pettah, to the Kathiresan in Bambalapitiya or Wellawatte. With the festival of lights the Hindus welcome Lakshmi during the month of October. The Divali festival involves the lighting of small clay lamps signifying the triumph of good over evil. This also marks the beginning of the financial year for the Hindu business community hence the goddess of wealth Lakshmi' is welcomed to their homes with Kolam', lighted lamps and sweets. The year ends with the celebration of Christmas. A festival mainly for feasting, Christmas is much looked forward to by all Sri Lankans. The main cities transform into magical kingdoms as this commercialised festival lights up the whole country. For most people it's a time for shopping, Christmas treats and holiday, as they celebrate the end of a calendar year, which of course had been quite hectic with all the merrymaking. Experience a taste of paradise at hotels Menorca Golden Triangle and Temples Tour – Attractive Tour Package with Pocket Soothing Budget Monumental Tourism in Delhi and Agra Eco Christmas gifts – how you can have a green Christmas India Tours - Get the Best of India Well Traveled – A Fresh Start Rocklin hotels make your holiday enjoyable and memorable Kerala Tour – Visit Thekkady , The Most Fascinating Wildlife Sanctuary Travel to Bangkok with Cheap Flights Reduce Travel costs With Conference Calling Sit N Go Tournament Betting Tips – 3 Tips To Bet Perfect Visit South Africa, Proud Host of 2010 Soccer World Cup! Creating a Wonderful Halloween Pumpkin