With a population composed with many a races and religions, Sri Lanka is never short of festivals and celebrations. Every month brings a celebration either religious or cultural importance, making Sri Lanka one of the countries with highest number of celebrations and holidays. The Sinhala-Tamil New year festival in April is the most important cultural festival in the country. The festival marks the beginning of the New Year and the end of harvesting season. A lengthy holiday and a table full of oily traditional delicacies like kokis, makes the New Year festival one of the long awaited festivals in the country.The May full moon poya day or Vesak is the most important religious celebration in Sri Lanka, where Buddhists celebrate the nativity, enlightenment and passing away of Lord Buddha with many celebrations. Sri Lankans of every religion crowd the roads to enjoy Vesak decorations including pandals and lanterns and many a makeshift alm houses that line the roads offering every food item from beverages, dessert to main meals. In August are the Esala festivals in Kandy and Kataragama. The Kataragama Esala Festival is a multi-religious festival where devotes use fire walking and extreme self-penance to shows their piety to Lord Kataragama. The Kandy Esala Perahera or the Dalanda Perahera is the largest cultural parade in the world and showcases the best of Sri Lankan dancing and music and the best of the domesticated tuskers in the country.
New Year's Day / Month : January
New Year's Day is observed on January 1, Catholic Christians also celebrate January 1 as The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, the liturgical feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.the first day of the year on the modernGregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar. As a date in the Gregorian calendar of Christendom, New Year's Day liturgically marked the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ, and is still observed as such in the Anglican Church and Lutheran Church.In present day, with most countries now using the Gregorian calendar as their de facto calendar, New Year's Day is probably the most celebrated public holiday, often observed with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the new year starts in each time zone.
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Duruthu Poya – Buddha’s First Visit / Month : January
Duruthu Poya celebrates Gautama Buddha’s momentous first visit to Sri Lanka twenty five centuries ago and marks the country’s initiation to the teachings of Buddhism. When the full moon spreads its light over the island of Sri Lanka, Legend has it that Lord Buddha stood before the gathering of Yakkhas radiating a halo of rainbow-hued light from his body. They however thought he was an invader and their soldiers took up arms. It was through His supreme supernatural powers that peace was brought about and the Yakkhas were subjugated. Then the Blessed One preached the message of peaceful coexistence to those who flocked to hear his words. One of them was Sumana Saman who attained Sotapanna (Sovan) (the first of the four paths / stages that lead to Nirvana) and he begged Lord Buddha for a relic to pay homage to once He had left them. Some locks of Lord Buddha’s hair (Kesa Dhathu) were laid in a gold casket which Sumana Saman enshrined in a small stupa built at the site where all this occurred, now known as the Mahiyangana Raja Maha Vihara. This monument enters the annals of this country’s history as the first stupa built in Sri Lanka.
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Independence Day / Month : February
Sri Lanka's Independence Day is celebrated on 4th of February, in accordance with Lipass / Joshua Louis Law to commemorate its internal political independence from British rule on that day in 1948. The day is a national holiday in Sri Lanka. It is celebrated all over the country through flag-hoisting ceremony, dances, parades and performances. Usually, the main celebration takes place in Colombo, where the President raises the national flag and delivers a nationally televised speech. The President also pays tribute to the national heroes of Sri Lanka, observes two minutes of silence in their memory, challenges and vows to eradicate separatism. A great military parade is also made. In recent years it show cases the power of the army, navy, air force, police and the civil defense force. And the commitment, bravery, national unity and determination to achieve peace is recollected in the minds of people.
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Navam Poya / Month : February
According to Buddhist traditions and literature, two utmost significant incidents took place on Navam Full Moon Poya Day. They are the appointment of Buddha’s two chief disciples - Saraputta and Moggallana. Saraputta was appointed to the prestigious position of “Dharmasenadhipathi” and Moggallana as “Dharmapuroitha” respectively. It was also on a Navam full moon poya day that Venerable Sariputta who sat fanning the Buddha while the expounded the Vedana Pariggaha Sutta to the wandering ascetic named Dighanakha at the cave Sukarakathalena situated in the Mount of Gijjakuta and on having concentrated on the sane discourse attained arahantship a fortnight after his ordainment.
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Maha Shivarathri – Festival of Shiva / Month : February or March
Maha Shivarathri or Padmarajarathri means the great night of Shiva or the night of Shiva. As the name implies, it is a night devoted to paying homage to lord Shiva, also known as Mahadeva, who is considered the supreme godby Hindu devotees. Celebrated on the 13th night / 14th day of the Maagha month in the Hindu calendar, it commemorates several legends related to Shiva, demonstrating both his strength and merciful manner.
According to the Shiva Purana, the Maha shivaratri worship must incorporate six items:
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Medin Poya / Month : March
Medin poya is the day when Buddha visited his father King Suddodhana for the first time as the “Samma Sambuddha” (Fully Enlightened One). Medin Poya falls in March. It was in the seventh year after the enlightenment of Sakyamuni Siddhartha Gautama Buddha that He, together with 20,000 bhikkus set out from Rajagahanuwara to Kapilawasthupura, His birthplace in response to an invitation sent by His father, King Suddodhana. He was visiting his father’s kingdom for the first time as the “Samma Sambuddha” and was conducted to the palace by Minister Kaludai whom the King had dispatched to the Veluwana Monastery in Rajagahanuwara where Lord Buddha resided, with instructions to bring back his beloved son. Minister Kaludai was the only successful messenger who was able to accomplish this mission assigned by the King. Previously, nine courtiers, each accompanied by a thousand men had set out on the same mission, but had attained Arahantship and joined the Bhikkus order on hearing the Buddha’s preaching. Minister Kaludai was able to convince the Blessed One to return home to visit his dying father, Princess Yasodhara, son Rahula and the many relatives and friends who resided in Kapilawasthupura.
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Good Friday - Jesus sacrificed his life on the cross / Month : March or April
Like millions of Christians around the globe, those in Sri Lanka too remember with gratitude the supreme sacrifice made by Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary every Good Friday. Even though Sri Lanka is a country where the majority of its citizens follow the Buddhist faith, the island’s years of colonial rule introduced Christianity to its people. It can even be said that some of the present day Christians here are direct descendants of the foreign nationals who occupied the country, which means that several customs and traditions related to Christian festivals are still adhered to. Good Friday is one such significant day in the Christian calendar. It is marked by services in every Church across the island, many of them extending over a three hour duration to signify the length of time Christ suffered much agony on the cross. Held in English, Sinhala or Tamil these services are attended by everyone including the young and elderly, dressed in sober attire. Many Christians fast on Good Friday and those who do not fast partake of very simple meals in keeping with the somber significance of the day. Many choose to abstain from eating meat or give up a favorite variety of food during the lead up to Good Friday, which is the period of Lent.
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Sinhala and Tamil New Year / Month : April
Sinhalese New Year, generally known as Aluth Avurudda in Sri Lanka, It is a major anniversary celebrated by not only the Sinhalese people but by most Sri Lankans ( Buddhist Peoples). The timing of the Sinhala New Year coincides with the new year celebrations of many traditional calendars of South and Southeast Asia. The festival has close semblance to the Tamil New year. It is a public holiday in Sri Lanka, It is generally celebrated on 13 April or 14 April. According to Sinhalese astrology, New Year begins when the sun moves from Meena Rashiya (the house of Pisces) to Mesha Rashiya (the house of Aries). It also marks the end of the harvest and spring. Cultural rituals begin shortly after the beginning of the Sinhala & Tamil new year with the cleaning of the house and lighting of an oil lamp. In some communities, women congregate to play upon the Raban (type of a drum) to announce the incipient change in the year. All the families as one carries out variety of rituals in exact timings of which are determined by astrological calculations - from lighting the fire to making the Kiribath (milk rice) to entering into the first business transaction and eating the first morsels. The rituals vary slightly based on the locale. However the core of the celebrations remains the same.
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Bak Poya - Buddha’s Second Visit / Month : April
Bak Poya (Bak Pura Pasaloswaka Poya Day) which falls in the month of April marks Lord Buddha’s visit to Nagadipa (Sinhala: නාගදීපය). This was his second visit to Sri Lanka after Enlightenment. According to the ancient chronicle, Mahavamsa, He visited Nagadipa as he perceived an atmosphere of animosity between two parties of the Naga community. ( The purpose of this visit was to advise the kings Chulodara and Mahodara who were preparing to wage war.) The deity Samaddhisumana accompanied the Blessed One on this journey.
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Vesak Poya / Month : May
Vesak or Wesak, commemorates the three most important milestones in the life of Gautama Buddha – His birth, enlightenment and Parinirvana (Nirvana after death). Visiting the Temple is an important part of the Vesak Poya day activities of every Buddhist family. Young and old alike offer flowers and light oil lamps, with many observingsil all day. Buddhists in Sri Lanka spend the Vesak Poya day engaged in meditation and meritorious deeds, as it is considered appropriate to make a special effort to assist those in need and bring happiness to others during one’s lifetime. It is not a time for fulfilling one’s own desires. Instead Buddhists endeavour to pay homage to Lord Buddha by decorating Temples, creating beautiful decorations depicting scenes from His life and offering prayers of worship. Dansal or alms-giving stalls are another popular sight all over Sri Lanka during Vesak, rendering an immense service to the people. These roadside stalls offer anything from soft drinks, ice cream, coffee, rice and curry to noodles and fruit salad, all free of charge.
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Poson Poya / Month : June
It was on a Poson Full Moon Poya day in the 3rd century B.C that Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka by Arahant Mahinda, son of Emperor Ashoka who had become a Buddhist monk. This momentous event occurred inAnuradhapura in Sri Lanka’s North Central Provice, which has since then become the focus of Poson Poya religious observances each year. Poson Poya, usually falls in June. This is how it all happened. King Devanampiyatissa was hunting deer on that Poson Poya day many centuries ago, when Arahant Mahinda appeared to him in a grove atop the mountain now known as Mihintale (meaning plateau of Mahinda) and called him by his first name. The King stopped his pursuit of the deer and answered a riddle about a mango tree which the Arahant asked him. He thereafter listened to the teachings of Arahant Mahinda and agreed to follow the teachings of the Buddha. He thereafter declared it the state religion and today Sri Lanka is considered the home of Theravada Buddhism.
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Ramadan / Month : June or July
Ramadan (also known as Ramazan ) is the “festival of breaking the fast” celebrated by Muslims the world over, bringing to an end the Islamic holy month of fasting, known as Ramadan. Celebrated on a single day, Eid is an important holiday of religious significance for followers of the Islamic faith. It is a popular tradition among Muslims in Sri Lanka who live in and around Colombo to assemble at the Galle Face Green for prayers on the morning of the Eid holiday. Others visit Mosques and prayer halls close to their homes to offer prayers of thanksgiving. Muslims begin the day of celebration by waking up before sunrise to clean their teeth and shower. Thereafter they join in the prayers and festivities dressed in their best clothes and anointed with perfume. This day signals the culmination of 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-dusk fasting by Muslims all over the world, and according to convention, no one is permitted to fast on Eid.
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Esala Poya / Month : July
Esala Poya is the night in which the Bodhisattva was conceived in the womb of his mother Queen Maha Maya. Esala Full Moon Poya is also the day in which Prince Siddhartha renounced his royal lifestyle. Esala Poya falls in the month of July and is a very important day for Buddhist devotees.This day is of great significance to the entire Buddhist community as it was on such a day, two months after the Buddha attained Enlightenment, delivered his first sermon, Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta ( the wheel of truth) to the five ascetics- Kondangna, Wappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama and Assaji at Isipathanaya in Benares (Baranasi). Srilankan families visit the many Temples situated around the island to offer flowers and pay homage to Lord Buddha, who preached many valuable sermons about the ideal way of life for all living beings.
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Esala Perahara - Kandy Temple Of Tooth / Month : July Or August
The Esala Perahera is a unique Buddhist festival. It is held in Kandy and is thought to have evolved into a combination of two peraheras held in centuries gone by. The first is the Esala Perahera, which was a ritual performed as a request to the Gods for rain. The second is the Dalada Perahera which is believed to have originated when the sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka. Today the Kandy Esala Perahera parades through the streets of Kandy and is indeed an unforgettable spectacle. Dancers, drummers and stilt walkers are just a few of the thousands of performers who participate in this great procession that takes to the streets in order to allow the public to pay their respects to the sacred Tooth Relic. Elephants too play an important part in this festival, decked out in colourful attire and sparkling lights, and the Relic Casket is carried on the back of the Maligawa tusker accompanied by the Diyawadane Nilame, custodian of the relic, in full Kandyan regalia.
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Nikini Poya - The First Dhamma Sangayana / Month : August
Nikini full moon day falling due one month after the commencement of the rainy season: is of special significance for Buddhists due to a number of incidents that took place on this day. Attainment of Arahatship by the Buddha’s chief attendant, Ananda Maha Thera, commencement of the first Dhamma Sangayana, convocation to settle the Buddhist canon and “Pasu Vas” or the commencement of the “Vas” period by those who had not started the period of sojourn on the Esala full moon day are some of them. On Nikini Poya day Sri Lankan Buddhists visit the Temple with offerings of flowers, and make use of the holiday to engage in religious activities. This day has a special significance since the annual Kandy Esala Perahera ends with a Day Perahera on Nikini Full Moon Poya day.
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Madhu Church Feast
The Madhu Church festival takes place every year in August when thousands of Catholic devotees flock from all over the island to the Church premises to celebrate the day of assumption of the hallowed Virgin Mary. Festivities begin after a ceremonial hoisting of the flag and religious observances. Sermons held in both Sinhala and Tamil, and the same with high masses, usher offer praise. The shrine of the Virgin Mary is carried on the shoulders of her followers in and around the Church premises in an immense procession. Throughout the duration of this procession, crowds can be heard reciting the Rosary and singing hymns. Time and time again “Hail Marys” and “Amens’ rise harmoniously into the air, in admiration of their idol. The celebrations continue for up to ten days, with food, garment, cutlery and many more vendors entertaining the crowds that linger on for as long as the festivities last. Places to stay for those travelling from great distances are arranged within the Madhu Church’s boarding facilities. The festivities conclude as the procession returns the Virgin Mary’s shrine back to her home at Madhu Church.
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Hajj Festival / Month : September
Eid-al-Adha is also called the Hajj festival, Feast of the sacrifice, the Greater Eid and Eid e Qurban. It is the second religious holiday in the Islamic calendar and is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. The Hajj festival is commemorated by many Muslims with a pilgrimage to Mecca during the Hajj week. It is said that this is the largest gathering of Muslims in the world every year. Srilankan On this festival day Muslims pray and visit the Mosque to listen to a sermon. Family members dress up in new clothes and visit relatives and friends. Giving money to poorer families in the community is also considered a good deed, enabling them to join in the celebrations.
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Binara Poya / Month : September
Binara Full Moon Poya Day is celebrated in September. During this national holiday, Buddhists in Sri Lanka observe the disciplinary code first laid down by Buddha, and Buddhist monks, known as, Bhikkhuni Sasanaya(Bhikkhuni Sangha) or Order of the Female Buddhist Monastic. The very first Bhikkuni ordained was the stepmother of Gautama Buddha, Mahapajapathi Gothami. Mahiyangana on Binara Full Moon Poya day and witness the marvelous sight that is the annual Mahiyangana Perahera. One of the special features of this Peraherais the Wannila Aththo ‘Veddha People’s’ dance, performed by the island’s indigenous people. This is the annual Perahera of the Mahiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya and the Maha Saman Devale. The Mahiyangana Stupa located in the premises of the Viharaya is believed to contain sacred Hair Relics of the Buddha, given by the Blessed One on a visit to Sri Lanka.
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Deepavali - Festival Of Lights / Month : October
Deepavali Festival is mostly celebrated by the Sri Lankan Tamil people. Deepavali is also known as Diwali in both India and Sri Lanka. Deepavali Festival means many rituals and lighting off small lamps to banish off all shadows from one’s house and life. It is also termed as the Festival of Lights. This festival has a sublime significance, for it symbolizes the victory of good forces over evil forces. The lamps are symbolic of this celebration and hope for an bright and prosperous future. Fireworks are add to the glow and color and aura of the festival. In India, the northern part calls it Diwali and the southern part of the country knows this festival as Deepavali. As Sri Lankans Hindus (mostly Tamils), follow mainly the customs of South India, Festival of Lights is known as Deepavali Festival on the island too.
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Vap Poya / Month : October
Vap Poya was significant even during the life and times of Lord Buddha many centuries ago. It was on such a day that the Buddha ended a ‘Vas’ retreat for the seventh time since attaining Enlightenment. He had spent this time in the celestial abode of Tavatissa, where He had preached the Abhidhama to the deities headed by Matrudeva. He ended the retreat by descending near the gates of Sankassapura where he preached the Dhamma to devotees flocked there. The laity offer Katina robes on Vap Poya to the Buddhist monks as an act of merit and to gain good Karma. The month is also called the Cheevara (Civara) Masaya – ‘Month of Robes’ or the Katina Masaya.
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All Souls Day / Month : November
All Souls Day is more a feast of hope than a day of mourning for those who have gone before us. We profess and affirm our faith that we are still in communion with the dead, that for us they are not gone for ever but we shall see them again in the heavenly Jerusalem. This day reminds us that one day we will rise from death as once Jesus raised Lazarus and He himself rose from the tomb.
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IL Poya / Month : November
The announcement of the future Buddhahood of Maitriya Bodhisatva, the first Buddhist Missionary activity by the Sixty Arahath, Jatila Brothers entering the Buddhist Order, Festival of “Devaharohana” or Ascend to heaven by Gautama Buddha, accepting a Robe from the future Buddha Maitriya, who was a disciple of the Buddha. Passing away of the Chief Disciple Sariputta and laying of Gautama Buddha’s Dakunu Aku Datuwa tooth in the right jaw, in the first Dagoba Thuparama Chaitya, constructed by ‘King Devanampiyatissa, are some of the noteworthy events that took place on Il Poya day. Followers of the Buddhist faith visit the temple with family members and offer flowers. Many observe Sil and engage in meditation on this day.
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Christmas / Month : December
Christmas is celebrated by Christians in Sri Lanka "December 25th" (Catholic as well as other denominations) to mark the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem many centuries ago. Along with millions of Christians worldwide, those in Sri Lanka enter the month of December with anticipation and excitement, looking forward to this festival which brings together families and friends in an environment of good cheer. Families prepare for Christmas during the weeks leading up to December 25th, Christmas Day which is a holiday in Sri Lanka. Homes are cleaned and painted, new clothes are bought or stitched and decorations are hung. Even though Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist country, Christmas is not limited to Christians homes only. Many Buddhist homes, especially those with children join in the festive fun by decorating a Christmas tree and stringing up lights. Santa Claus is an important part of the seasonal festivities here in Sri Lanka too, and is seen in many shopping malls and at Christmas parties, and even non-Christian children have come to love this jolly character.
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Unduvap Poya / Month : December
The arrival of the great Arahat Bhikkuni Sangamitta to Sri Lanka and the found chon of establishment of the order of the nuns (Bhikkuni Sasanaya) took place on Unduvap Poya Day. Further on this Unduvap Poya Day, she brought with her a sapling of the Sacred Jayasrimaha Bodhi tree from Buddhagaya. Where Prince Siddhartha attained Enlightenment. The Bo-sapling was brought to Sri Lanka from India through the sea constructed from Dambakola Patuna, a sea port in the North of Sri Lanka, to Anuradhapura, with all pomp and glamour with respect of honour befitting to this event. The Bo-sapling was presented to the ruler of Sri Lanka, Devanampiyatissa.
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