Top Events-Festivals in Sri Lanka

By, Sri Lankan Traveller

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Top Events-Festivals in Sri lanka

1. Aurudu (New Year), April
2. Kandy Esala Perahera, August
3. Duruthu Perahera, January
4. Vesak Poya, May
5. Christmas, December
6. Maha Sivarathri,March

Aurudu (New Year)

Coinciding with the start of the southwest monsoon and the end of the harvest season, the Buddhist and Hindu New Year is a family festival during which presents are exchanged and the traditional (rice cooked with milk and cut into diamond shapes) is prepared. Businesses close, rituals are performed, new clothes are worn and horoscopes are cast. April 13 is New Year’s Eve; April 14 is New Year’s Day.

The Kandy Esala Perahera

Sri Lanka’s most spectacular and prominent festival, is the climax of 10 days and nights of celebrations during the month of Esala. This great procession honours the sacred tooth relic of Kandy and starts in late July.

Duruthu Perahera

Held on the poya (fullmoon) day at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara in Colombo and second in importance only to the huge Kandy perahera (procession), this festival celebrates Buddha’s first of three visits to Sri Lanka.

Vesak Poya

This two-day holiday – poya day and the day after – remembers the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. During the festivities, the high point is the lighting of paper lanterns and oil lamps outside of every Buddhist home, shop and temple.

Christmas

For Sri Lanka’s Christian communities  ,  this day has become a popular secularized holiday. different versions of Western Christmas traditions can be found across the nation, from bone-thin Santas in strange masks to garish artificial trees.

Maha Sivarathri

In late February or early March the Hindu festival of Maha Sivarathri  honors  the marriage of Shiva to Parvati with all-night vigils and more. It’s the most important day for Shaivites, who comprise the majority of Sri Lanka’s Hindus.