Festivals of Srilanka would leave most
enchanting experiences on the minds of its travelers as the island
enjoys the bright and colorful tradition festivals celebrated with
full fun and enthusiasm. Mostly festivals in Sri Lanka are religion
base and celebrated with same sprit among all sections of the
society.
The people of Sri Lanka are so lively that there is festivity mood
throughout the year, which is easily depicted in their celebrations,
with vivid traditional rituals, ceremonies and a splendid
extravagance. The exact dates of most festivals tend to change from
year to year as they depend on lunar and solar aspect.
Hindu Festivals
Hindu festivals in Sri Lanka are also celebrated with distinctly
dazzling ceremonies and rituals.
Deepavali (October/November)
Besides India, Diwali festival is equally celebrated with great
devotion in Sri Lanka. Diwali the festival of lights, lamps, rituals
and is celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil, according
to legend on this auspicious day Lord Rama return to Ayudhya, from
14 years of exile. Goddess Lakshmi, known as the goddess of wealth
is also worshipped on the day and a grand puja celebration is
organized in every Hindu house.
Buddhist festivals
Buddhist festivals in Sri Lanka are more recurrent as the country
is dominated by Buddhist faith. With respect, on full moon day of
every month religious ceremony are performed by the followers of
Buddhists, the day is called Poya Day. The main full moon day
celebrations are - Duruthu (January): Vesak (May): Poson (June):
Esala (July/August): Unduvap (December).
New Year Festival
Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a traditional celebration that
foretells the way of the sun from Pisces to Aries. The event is
prominent throughout the island, following traditional customs with
the emphasis on carnival celebration.
Muslim festivals
Muslim festivals are also closely associated to religion. The
community follows a minority group that is the reason the
celebrations are not much in notice. The main Muslim festivals are
the Milad-un-Nabi or the birth of the Prophet Mohammed in December,
Id-ul-Fitr marking the end of the holy fasting during the month of
Ramadan, and the Haj festival when Muslims make their pilgrimages to
the holy Muslim shrine at Mecca.
Christmas festivals
Christmas is also very much part of the island's festivities, and
is celebrated with same fun and folic through out the island among
all communities, especially Christians
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