Duruthu Poya
The initial full moon day of the Gregorian calendar, commemorates the Buddha’s first of three visits to Sri Lanka. The Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya or the Kelaniya Temple, near Colombo, hosts a perahera, literally “procession”, to mark this symbolic event. The perahera is a spectacular aspect of Sri Lanka’s festivals in which an array of traditionally attired dancers, drummers, whip crackers, acrobats and enrobed elephants, participate. For visitors it’s one of Sri Lanka’s most appealing cultural attractions.
Thai Pongal
The Hindu harvest festival is celebrated on January 14 in Hindu homes and temples throughout the country. Worship at the kovil (temple) is mandatory for adherents to the faith. Special rituals are held at home too. such as the cooking and ceremonial consumption of traditional sweetened rive called pongal. An observance of creative nature, kolam, involves making intricate floor motifs with flour. In rural areas, a sequel known as Madu Pongal follows. Domestic animals are washed and fed; auspicious red colors smeared on their foreheads, and finally are garlanded with marigolds.
Galle Literary Festival
The end of January is home to the very popular Galle Literary Festival, a special four day event that welcomes world class writers and audiences from all around the world to take part in and witness a host of talks, workshops and literary events at venues in and around this heritage city.
Independence Day
Celebrating Independence from Great Britain in 1948, falls on February 4. Parades, dances, processions and national games are organized all over the island, but the main event is held in Colombo, attended by many politicians.
Gangaramaya Navam Perahera
Started in 1979, the Gangaramaya Navam Peraherahas since developed into one of the Sri Lanka’s finest. Held at night on Navam Poya at the Gangaramaya Vihara in the heart of Colombo, it’s a popular tourist attraction that can be viewed from stands located along the roadside of the procession’s route. The fascinating preparations, particularly the arrival of over 100 tame elephants at Viharamahadevi Park during the daytime, can also be observed.
Maha Sivarathri
The Hindu festival of Maha Sivarathri, or “the great night of Siva”, is celebrated in late February or early March in Hindu homes and temples across the country. This is the most important religious event of the year for the “Shaivites”, who comprise the majority of Sri Lanka’s Hindus. It is a deeply symbolic occasion celebrating the charming of Lord Shiva by his consort Parvati through penance. Poojas are held at kovils during the day and can be witnessed by visitors, and every Hindu household keeps an all-night vigil.
Ramzan
Ramadan is the most important month for Muslims; they fast daily for the complete month of Ramzan worldwide. Ramadan 1446 Hijri starts on 12 March 2024 in Sri Lanka and the rest of the world observing the Saudi lunar calendar. However, the exact date of Ramzan depends on the sighting of the moon announced by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
Sri Lankan New Year
This occurs usually on the 13th & 14th of April, is a non-religious festival celebrated by the whole population. Originally a harvest thanksgiving, it does not begin at midnight on the designated day, because, like many events in Sri Lanka, the precise (‘auspicious’) timings are decided upon astrologically. It is believed New Year commences not when the old one ends, but a few hours later. The interval between the old and the new is called nonagathe or “neutral period”, during which all activities cease. When the New Year commences, fresh activities begin: a fire is lit and new clothes are worn. Then comes the ganu-denu, or “give and take” in which money is exchanged.
The festival culminates when oil is mixed with a herbal paste and a respected elder anoints the head of each family member. Over the festive period traditional games, both indoor and out, such as kotta pora (pillow fighting) and havari hengima (hiding the wig) played in homes and villages brings together families and whole communities. Many shops are closed for up to a week over New Year as people travel en masse with gifts and specially prepared festive food to offer family and friends.
Eid-Ul-Fitr
Eid ul Fitr is Allah’s gift for Muslims for fasting in Ramadan. It is an Islamic holiday, marking the end of Ramadan. Muslims celebrate Eid Al Fitr every year on the 1st of Shawwal.
Vesak
The most important Buddhist full moon day is in May Vesak Poya- which marks the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing away (parinirwana). Large pandals (bamboo frameworks) hung with pictures depicting events in the life of the Buddha are erected in the streets, illuminated by flashing colored light bulbs. Roadside dansalas (stalls) offering free food and soft drinks to passers-by are notable features of the event. Among the many striking Vesak decorations are intricate paper lanterns of different shapes and sizes, and little clay coconut oil lamps that flicker throughout the island. Visitors to Sri Lanka at this time will not fail to witness and be moved by the beautiful displays of lanterns outside every Buddhist home, business and temple.
Poson
Poson Poya is in second importance to Vesak since it commemorates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in 247BC. The focus of this festival is the ancient capital of the country, Anuradhapura, and the mountainous Mihintale Temple reached by 1840 steps, where king Devanampiyathissa was converted to Buddhism in the third century BC. During Poson, the mountain is illuminated and deveotees climb the steps in their thousands to pay homage to the event.
Katagama Festival
The Kataragama Festival, held in July, is a vibrant religious celebration dedicated to Lord Skanda, the Hindu God of War. Devotees from various religious backgrounds come together at the sacred Kataragama temple complex in the southern part of Sri Lanka. The festival includes firewalking, acts of self-mortification, and colourful processions. It is a unique fusion of Hindu and indigenous traditions.
Kandy Esala Perahera
Sri Lanka’s most prominent festival is the magnificent Kandy Esala Perahera, held in the Hill capital of Kandy over 10 days in late July or early August and climaxing on Esala Poya. The perahera’s origins date back to the third century BC, but the modern event originated in the mid 18th Century when the kandyan king decreed that once a year the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, kept at the Dalada Maligawa or temple of tooth, should be displayed in a procession for the people to venerate.
Nallur Kandasamy Kovil Festival
The Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil Temple Festival, held in August, is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrated in Jaffna. Devotees gather at the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, one of the most significant Hindu temples in Sri Lanka, to seek blessings from Lord Murugan. Colourful processions, elaborate rituals, and cultural performances are the highlights of this festival.
Deepavali Festival
Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is the Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus in Sri Lanka and around the world. One of the busiest festivals in Sri Lanka, it usually falls in November, and symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
Homes are decorated with oil lamps, colourful rangoli designs, and fireworks illuminate the night sky. Families exchange sweets and gifts, and prayers are offered to deities, invoking blessings for prosperity and happiness.
Sri Pada Pilgrimage Season
December brings The Sri Pada pilgrimage season, which lasts until Sri Lankan New Year (mid-April). Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian pilgrims ascend the 2234m mountain to a temple that bears the ‘footprint’ of the Buddha, Lord Shiva or Adam, according to the differing beliefs, this is yet another example of how different faith in Sri Lanka share sacred sites and symbols. The climb begins from the village of Dalhousie shortly after midnight in order to reach the summit by sunrise, when a spectacular triangular shadow of the peak known as ira sevaya or service of the sun foreshortens in spectacular fashion. Pilgrims ring a bell to indicate the number of visits they have made to the summit.
Christmas in Sri Lanka
Although Sri Lanka is a majority Buddhist country (only 7% of people are Christians) Christmas is celebrated as a public holiday by everyone across community. The brightly lit streets and malls and tall Christmas trees brings light to the streets of Colombo. The celebrations pin along the way in corporate companies and big hotels. On the eve of Christmas (24th December), Churches hold midnight mass to herald the dawn of Christmas. At midnight thousands of firecrackers are lit – a very popular Sri Lankan practice at any major festival.
December is usually a good month to travel to Sri Lanka. Along the coastal belts of southern and western, the rainfall starts to decline; plenty of sunshine and dry days are expected means the peak beach conditions return. Kandy & the Hill country stay a brilliant green after the plenty of monsoon rains.
