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15thTaking place over a period of 2 days in mid January, Thai Pongal is a Hindu festival which pays tribute to the Sun God Surya and the cattle that plough the fields over the past year. There are festivities and fireworks and pongol, a sweet rice dish is served in Hindu homes to celebrate this harvest festival.
23rdThis Perahera is held around the complex of the sacred Kelani Raja Maha Vihara and commemorates the first of the Buddha's three visits to the island. The Perahara takes place on the Duruthu Full Moon Poya day in January each year.
julyThe start of the Adam's Peak pilgrimage season commences on the Unduvap Poya day falling in December. Also known as Sangamitta Day, it marks the day when Sangamitta, King Asoka's daughter carried the sacred Bo Tree sapling from India across to Sri Lanka, which was planted in Anuradhapura. The sapling is believed to be a cutting from the Bo Tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. The pilgrimage continues for a period of five months and ends on the Bak poya day in April.
22ndA large procession of elephants, dancers and drummers which takes place in the heart of Colombo around the Gangaramaya Temple and Beira Lake over two days centered around the Nawam Full Moon in February.
4thA nationwide holiday, celebrated on the 4th of February each year to mark the day Sri Lanka gained full independence from British rule in 1948. There are some parades attended by the head of state which take place in Colombo and occasionally in other large towns.
7thA sacred day for all Hindus, which is dedicated to the God Shiva. Mahasivarathri falls between late February to early March when devotees fast and all night poojas are held in temples across the country.
julyThe start of the Adam's Peak pilgrimage season commences on the Unduvap Poya day falling in December. Also known as Sangamitta Day, it marks the day when Sangamitta, King Asoka's daughter carried the sacred Bo Tree sapling from India across to Sri Lanka, which was planted in Anuradhapura. The sapling is believed to be a cutting from the Bo Tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. The pilgrimage continues for a period of five months and ends on the Bak poya day in April.
27thEaster is celebrated nationwide by Catholics and falls in late March to mid April. During Easter Sunday in towns with a large Catholic population such as Negombo and Jaffna, passion plays are performed and is celebrated with re-enactments of the crucifixion of Christ and a number of large processions.
julyThe start of the Adam's Peak pilgrimage season commences on the Unduvap Poya day falling in December. Also known as Sangamitta Day, it marks the day when Sangamitta, King Asoka's daughter carried the sacred Bo Tree sapling from India across to Sri Lanka, which was planted in Anuradhapura. The sapling is believed to be a cutting from the Bo Tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. The pilgrimage continues for a period of five months and ends on the Bak poya day in April.
14thThis is the most celebrated holiday in the country which falls on the 13th and 14th of April each year. A number of shops and offices are closed during the entire week around this holiday period as it is a time for families to rejoice and celebrate together. Gifts are exchanged, new clothes are worn and houses are cleaned in preparation for the New Year. Traditional treats including Kavum, Kokis along with Milk Rice and Plantains are served to celebrate the New Year.
julyThe start of the Adam's Peak pilgrimage season commences on the Unduvap Poya day falling in December. Also known as Sangamitta Day, it marks the day when Sangamitta, King Asoka's daughter carried the sacred Bo Tree sapling from India across to Sri Lanka, which was planted in Anuradhapura. The sapling is believed to be a cutting from the Bo Tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. The pilgrimage continues for a period of five months and ends on the Bak poya day in April.
21stCelebrated during the poya day in the month of May, Vesak celebrated the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. It is considered to be one of the most sacred days in the Buddhist calendar. Paper lanterns are hung outside homes and on the streets, oil lamps are lit and pandols depicting scenes from the Buddha's life are displayed in public areas across the country. Roadside stalls known as Dansals are setup across the island offering refreshments and meals to passers-by. The Beira Lake area in Colombo is lit up with lights, colourful lanterns and Pandols and attracts local sightseers from across the country.
19thA Buddhist holiday which falls on the Full Moon day in June that celebrates the introduction to Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura and Mihintale, considered to be the birthplaces of Buddhism in Sri Lanka are visited by thousands of pilgrims during the Poson poya.
19thFalling between late July to mid August, the Esala Perahera which takes place in the streets of Kandy is the most iconic event in the country. It celebrates the arrival of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Sri Lanka and runs for 10 consecutive days. Featuring a grand procession of dancers, drummers and elephants decorated in costumes, the Perahera commences and ends at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic running through Kandy town. The Perahera grows larger and longer every night and ends with the grand finale, which falls on the Esala Full Moon day.
19thThe Kataragama festival is held during the month of Esala, July-August each year to mark the end of the two month long Pada Yatra foot pilgrimage from Jaffna to Kataragama through the east coast and jungles of Yala. Kataragama is a jungle shrine dedicated to the God Skanda and is a popular pilgrim center for Buddhists and Hindus where devotees flock year round. During the festival, fire walking and the grand Perahera are some of its highlights. The end of the festival is marked by a water cutting ceremony in the Menik Ganga which runs through Kataragama.
julyDedicated to Skanda, the Vel festival is celebrated in either July or August in Colombo, when ornate chariots bearing a statue of Skanda or his spear (also known as the vel) are paraded through the streets and temple grounds accompanied by the pilgrims. The deities are carried in a procession commencing from the Samangodu Sri Kathivelayuthu Swami Temple in Pettah to the Sri Manickavinayagar Temple in Bambalapitiya. A separate procession also takes place from the Kathiresan Kovil in Pettah to the New Kathiresan Hall in Bamabalapitiya.
julyFalling between July and August, this is the main festival celebrated in Jaffna and runs for 25 consecutive days. Dedicated to Skanda, a chariot procession takes place twice a day around the Nallur Temple premises, where devotees, drummers and dancers participate.
19thFalling between late July to mid August, the Esala Perahera which takes place in the streets of Kandy is the most iconic event in the country. It celebrates the arrival of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Sri Lanka and runs for 10 consecutive days. Featuring a grand procession of dancers, drummers and elephants decorated in costumes, the Perahera commences and ends at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic running through Kandy town. The Perahera grows larger and longer every night and ends with the grand finale, which falls on the Esala Full Moon day.
19thThe Kataragama festival is held during the month of Esala, July-August each year to mark the end of the two month long Pada Yatra foot pilgrimage from Jaffna to Kataragama through the east coast and jungles of Yala. Kataragama is a jungle shrine dedicated to the God Skanda and is a popular pilgrim center for Buddhists and Hindus where devotees flock year round. During the festival, fire walking and the grand Perahera are some of its highlights. The end of the festival is marked by a water cutting ceremony in the Menik Ganga which runs through Kataragama.
julyDedicated to Skanda, the Vel festival is celebrated in either July or August in Colombo, when ornate chariots bearing a statue of Skanda or his spear (also known as the vel) are paraded through the streets and temple grounds accompanied by the pilgrims. The deities are carried in a procession commencing from the Samangodu Sri Kathivelayuthu Swami Temple in Pettah to the Sri Manickavinayagar Temple in Bambalapitiya. A separate procession also takes place from the Kathiresan Kovil in Pettah to the New Kathiresan Hall in Bamabalapitiya.
julyFalling between July and August, this is the main festival celebrated in Jaffna and runs for 25 consecutive days. Dedicated to Skanda, a chariot procession takes place twice a day around the Nallur Temple premises, where devotees, drummers and dancers participate.
29thKnown as the 'Festival of Lights', Deepavali celebrates the symbolic triumphing of good over evil. It is a sacred day celebrated by all Hindus where lamps are lit in Tamil households and in Hindu temples across the country. Deepavali also commemorates Rama's return to India after having rescued Sita who spent 14 years in exile in Sri Lanka.
julyThe start of the Adam's Peak pilgrimage season commences on the Unduvap Poya day falling in December. Also known as Sangamitta Day, it marks the day when Sangamitta, King Asoka's daughter carried the sacred Bo Tree sapling from India across to Sri Lanka, which was planted in Anuradhapura. The sapling is believed to be a cutting from the Bo Tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. The pilgrimage continues for a period of five months and ends on the Bak poya day in April.
25thA holiday celebrated worldwide by Christians to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. Festive decorations can be seen in shopping centers, roadside stalls and in numerous homes across the country.
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