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Sri Lanka has many festivals and religious ceremonies held throughout the year. Thanks to its diversity of religions, Sri Lanka offers at least one festival each month as Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and Muslims celebrate both religious and national occasion. We have listed some of the more significant and colourful events below, so that the next time you visit Sri Lanka you could take part in one of them. |
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Galle Literary Festival (27th to 31st January 2010) A gathering of hundreds of international and local authors, dramatists, poets, historians and architects from around the country assemble in Galle, which is situated in the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka for the ‘Galle International Literary Festival’.The festival features book reviews, film evenings, literary launches and poetry critiques and a host of other exciting events. The festival brings together a cross-section of some of the best creative talent from the world. Many local and international writers such as Carl Muller, Thomas Keneally, Germaine Greer, Pico Iyer, Edna O`Brien, Romesh Gunesekera, V.V. Ganeshananthan, MJ Akbar, Giles Milton, Moses Isegawa, Michael Morpurgo will participate. |
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Duruthu Perahera – Colombo The full-moon festival of Duruthu, normally held in January, commemorates the visit of Lord Buddha to Kelaniya. The temple at Kelaniya, 9 kms from the heart of Colombo, commemorates the event with a grand perahera. |
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National Independence Day National Day commemorates Sri Lanka’s gaining independence from the British rule in 4 February 1948, with military parades, pageants and religious services |
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Nawam Perahera – Colombo (February 2010 – dates to be finalised) The full moon of Nawam (usually in February), is the occasion of yet another glittering Buddhist Perehera, held at the beautiful Gangaramaya Temple beside a lake in the centre of Colombo. |
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Turtle Nesting Season Kosgoda, Hikkaduwa, Habaraduwa and Rekewa |
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Elephant Polo Tournament Galle |
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Sinhalese & Tamil New Year Celebrations (13th and 14th April 2010) New Year in Sri Lanka or the Sinhala New Year – Aluth Avurudhu is celebrated by both Sinhala and Tamil communities between 12-14 April. According to Sinhalese mythology, New Year begins when the sun moves from Meena Rashiya (the house of Pisces) to Mesha Rashiya (the house of Aries). It is considered the Festival of the Sun God and marks the end of the harvest and spring. Rains enliven the spirit of the nature as flowers bloom, trees get laden with fruits and bounties of farmers are full. |
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Horse Races, Nuwara Eliya April brings the spring to Nuwara Eliya. Usually engulfed in mist, this Hill Country town gets en-livened with many activities in April. The British introduced horse racing to Sri Lanka and the 37 acre race course at Nuwara Eliya is still an arena for horses to beat one another. Horse races will frequently be held as one of the traditions remembering the British Colonial Era. Many tournaments are hosted during this period. Motorcycling, car racing, carnivals and many more festivities will be held. |
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Butterfly Migration (April/May) In the crisp air and sunshine, legions of brave yellow and white and jewel coloured butterflies take their final flight to the summit of Adams Peak (Sri Pada) as if these lovely evanescent creatures were in the company with the pilgrims. At the end of their ascent, they die there in waves, providing another phenomenon, hence the name Samanala Kanda meaning Butterfly Mountain. |
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Vesak Festival (the Festival of Lanterns) (May 2010 – dates to be advised) The Vesak Festival. This marks the birth, death and enlightenment of Lord Buddha. It is celebrated with lots of colourful Pandols (a large structure which carries stories of Lord Buddha's life lit up with thousands of colorful lights). For visitors, the week-long celebration offers an exceptional opportunity to experience Sri Lanka’s religious and cultural traditions, as the holy occasion is celebrated with great joy and colour |
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Poson Poya (June 2010 – dates to be advised) The annual Poson festival is an ancient celebration which commemorates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the third century BC. It was spread by the arrival of Arahat Maha Mahinda (son of King Asoka of India) who appeared before the Sri Lankan King at Mihintale. This religious day is celebrated with the lighting of lanterns (similar to vesak) and pandols depicting the journey. |
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Mihintale Ayurvedic rejuvenation season | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rambutan Season | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Kataragama Festival, Kataragama (15th July) Thousands of devotees flock to Kataragama located in Sri Lanka’s Deep South during this festival. The War God Skanda is revered during this time and thousands of Hindu devotees bear chariots, pierce their flesh with hooks, walk on beds of hot coals and commit other acts of penitence, generally in repayment of vows. |
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Vel Festival (July/August) The Hindu Festival of Vel takes place in Colombo. A Spectacular gilded chariot is pulled between one of the capital’s most impressive Hindu temples in Sea Street, and the temples in Bambalapitiya. All along the route, which is decorated with banana trees and palm fronds, stalls sell sugar cane, fruit, handicrafts and souvenirs. |
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Esala Perahera – Kandy (27th July – 05th August 2009) The world famous Kandy Esala Perehera comes to life in August each year. Drawing thousands of spectators from all over the world the Perahera features elephants, drummers, whip-crackers in a fascinating blend of colour and music. The Kandy Perahera is celebrated annually ever since the sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Meghavanna during 300 A.D. |
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Bellanwila Festival Held at the Rajamaha Vihara (Buddhist temple) at Bellanwila, just south of Colombo, the Bellanwila Perahera is a colourful pageant. |
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Elephant Gathering, Minneriya (August/September 2009) The lure to all these magnificent beasts are the lush grasses revealed by the receding waters of the Minneriya Tank, a reservoir built in the Third Century. It is an unforgettable sight and a must see – groups of a hundreds of elephants are repeatedly sighted and it is a unique opportunity to see so many elephants close-up in their natural habitat, feeding, fighting, courting, and caring for their young. |
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Surfing in Arugam Bay (April – October) Arugambay is a little fishing village located approximately 314Km from Colombo (in the East Coast of Sri Lanka). It is the ideal spot for surfing, water sports and even some underwater photography. It has a wide beach area and the average water temperature is 28 degrees and the average air temperature is 32 degrees. A further 30mins South by tuk tuk will also take you to Crocodile Rock which is ideal for beginners/intermediate or long board enthusiasts. |
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Annual Golf Classic (October 2010) Hosted at the elegant Victoria Golf & Country Resort in Kandy in October 2010, the Sri Lankan Golf Classic will consist of two Stableford Rounds. Competitors are required to play a round on two consecutive days. |
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Deepavali, the Festival of Light One of the loveliest Hindu festivals of the year is Deepavali, the Festival of Light, generally celebrated in November to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Thousands of oil lamps are lit to decorate the temples, homes and gardens, while special foods (including sweetmeats), and new clothing are enjoyed |
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Whale and Dolphin Watching, Kalpitiya Sri Lanka is situated within the International Whaling Commission’s protected zone in the Indian Ocean. Of the 80 species of cetaceans observed and identified worldwide, 26 are found in the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. From November to April, thousands of Dolphins can be seen off the shores of Kalpitiya. Observed in pods, these Dolphins often swim alongside the boats and frolic in the seas - a thrilling site for children and adults alike. You might also be fortunate enough to see a gigantic Blue Whale swimming in the deep seas. The rare ‘Pink Dolphins’ (Indo Pacific Humpback Dolphin) can also be spotted during this time from Kalpitiya. |
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Whales and Dolphins spotting in Mirissa During the migration season in December and April, large pods of Dolphins and Blue Whales can be seen just a few miles offshore from Mirissa. Mirissa Water Sports, based in the Mirissa Harbour offers boat excursions which can take upto three hours. |
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National Bird Month (01st – 31st December 2009) Sri Lanka is home to many colorful birds. Over 400 birds including 33 endemics and 200 migrants have been observed on Sri Lankan soil. The Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL) the national affiliate of Bird Life International declared the month of December as the National Bird Month. December is the peak of the Bird Migration season and will record the highest number of birds. Many activities are being organized to educate the public on the subject of birds . Participants can simply go out bird-watching to as many places as possible. Make a list of species seen and mail it to FOGSL. This data can be fed online and will be later analyzed and used for conservation purposes. |
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Adams Peak (1st December 2009 to 2nd April 2010) Adam`s Peak or ‘Sri Pada’ is an important pilgrim site. The devotees of many religions climb the mountain to invoke blessings. Buddhists believe the impression on the summit is the footprint of the Buddha. The mountain is also named as ‘Samanola Kanda’ or Butterfly Mountain. The area is rich in biodiversity and surrounded by the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary. The pilgrimage season starts on Unduvap Poya (religious holiday) from December to May. |
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Christmas (25th December) It’s the season to be jolly! Christians the world over celebrate the joy of the saviour Jesus Christ’s birth. Celebrated with carol singing, Christmas trees, decorations, cards and gifts, with midnight services held on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day is celebrated in traditional style at tourist hotels across the country. |
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New Year Celebrations (31st December to 01st January) Lavish 31st Night dinner dances, religious ceremonies are held throughout Sri Lanka. The welcoming of the New Year is celebrated in gala style at tourist hotels across the country |
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