Festivals in Sri Lanka

Festivals in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka festivals are rich and diverse, including Vesak, celebrating Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death with lanterns and processions. The Kandy Esala Perahera features elaborate parades and decorated elephants. Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April includes traditional games and rituals. The Galle Literary Festival celebrates literature and arts.

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– Top Festivals in Sri Lanka
– Itineraries & Tour Packages
– Private Car and Driver

Sri Lanka’s festivals are vibrant, diverse, and reflect the island’s rich cultural and religious heritage. Here’s a detailed list of some of the major festivals celebrated across Sri Lanka:

Top Festivals in Sri Lanka

1. Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Avurudu)

• When: April 13-15
• Description: Celebrated by both Sinhalese and Tamil communities, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the new year. The festivities include traditional games, cooking special foods like kiribath (milk rice), and rituals to bring good fortune for the year ahead.

2. Vesak Poya

• When: April/May (date varies)
• Description: Commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Lord Buddha. The festival is marked by illuminated lanterns, decorations, and religious activities at temples. Devotees participate in meditation, make offerings, and engage in acts of charity.

3. Esala Perahera (Kandy Perahera)

• When: July/August (date varies)
• Description: A grand procession held in Kandy to honor the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha. The event features elaborate floats, decorated elephants, traditional dancers, drummers, and torchbearers. It is one of the most significant and spectacular Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka.

4. Poson Poya

• When: June (date varies)
• Description: Celebrates the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka by Mahinda Thera. Key festivities are in Mihintale, where Mahinda Thera met King Devanampiya Tissa. The event includes religious observances, illuminations, and cultural performances.

5. Duruthu Perahera

• When: January (date varies)
• Description: Held at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara to mark Buddha’s visit to Sri Lanka. The procession includes traditional dancers, drummers, and decorated elephants, providing a vivid display of Sri Lankan culture.

6. Thai Pongal

• When: January 14-17
• Description: A Tamil harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God. The celebrations include cooking a special dish called Pongal (a sweet rice dish) and offering it to the Sun God. The festival is marked by community feasts, cultural events, and rituals.

7. Deepavali (Diwali)

• When: October/November (date varies)
• Description: The Hindu festival of lights symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. It involves lighting oil lamps, fireworks, special prayers, and feasting on sweets.

8. Kataragama Festival

• When: July/August (date varies)
• Description: A multi-religious festival at the Kataragama temple, attracting Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim devotees. The festival includes processions, fire-walking, and other acts of devotion.

9. Navam Poya

• When: February (date varies)
• Description: Celebrates the Buddhist event of the first council of monks following Buddha’s death. The festival is marked by a procession at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, featuring elephants, traditional dancers, and drummers.

10. Nallur Festival

• When: August (date varies)
• Description: A significant Hindu festival held at the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple in Jaffna, spanning 25 days. The festival features processions, rituals, music, and dance dedicated to Lord Murugan.

11. Hikkaduwa Beach Festival

• When: July (date varies)
• Description: A vibrant beach festival featuring music, dance, water sports, and food. It attracts locals and tourists for a weekend of entertainment and fun by the sea.

12. Colombo Fashion Week

• When: March (date varies)
• Description: A major event in Sri Lanka’s fashion calendar, showcasing the works of both local and international designers. It includes runway shows, fashion talks, and networking events.

13. Galle Literary Festival

• When: January (date varies)
• Description: A prestigious literary event that attracts writers, poets, and literary enthusiasts from around the world. The festival includes panel discussions, workshops, and readings.

14. Jaffna Music Festival

• When: Biennially, usually in March
• Description: Celebrates traditional and contemporary music, featuring performances, workshops, and community events.

15. International Kite Festival

• When: April (date varies)
• Description: Held in various locations, including Colombo and Negombo. The festival features colorful kites of all shapes and sizes, with participants from around the world.

16. Kandy International Film Festival

• When: June (date varies)
• Description: A platform for showcasing local and international films, fostering cultural exchange, and promoting the Sri Lankan film industry.

17. Sinhalese and Tamil New Year (Avurudu)

• When: April 13-15
• Description: This festival marks the traditional New Year for both Sinhalese and Tamil communities with various cultural activities and traditional games.

18. Buddha Jayanti

Description: Celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Buddha. The day is marked by religious activities, meditation, and offerings.

When: April (date varies)

Sri Lanka Festivals Video’s

Discover Sri Lanka’s vibrant festivals through engaging videos. Watch the colorful Kandy Esala Perahera, the illuminated Vesak celebrations, and the lively Sinhala and Tamil New Year festivities. Experience the island’s rich cultural traditions in motion.