January
The poya day in the month of January is a special day for followers of the Kelaniya Buddhist Temple, which is located few minutes away from the commercial capital. It is the annual perehara that takes place in this month. The procession brings a religious and cultural enlightenment to the people. As the month comes to an end the Annual Galle Literary Festival unites poets, writers, artists and architects from the world over.
February
The streets of Colombo come alive in February with the Kala Pola – a popular street art fair. Local sculptors and artists from across the country display their creative talents while Colombo residents comb the Green Path to pickup an interesting piece of art for their homes. The Navam Perehara is another highlight in Colombo held during the full-moon in the month of February. A treat for children and adults alike, this perehara show cases all the traditional dance forms including mask dancers, Kandyan dancers, Kavadi dancers, drummers and glittering elephants. A number of elephants from various parts of the country make the long journey to Colombo along with their mahouts for this event. In the Kandyan capital, the much awaited Donald Steele Golf Tournament is held in February in the picturesque Victoria Golf and Country Resort. National Day – Achievement of independence from the British on Feb 4 1948 is a major event in the annals of history. Sri Lanka Celebrates its independence marked with various cultural and religious activities throughout the country.
Elephant Polo Tournament – International teams head to Sri Lanka’s southern seaside town of Galle to partake in the sixth annual Elephant Polo Tournament. This extraordinary game is played beside the equally impressive historical ramparts of the town’s World Heritage Fort. The tournament is hosted by the Ceylon Elephant Polo Association (CEPA), an organisation founded by Geoffrey Dobbs, the man who brought elephant polo to Sri Lanka.
Maha Sivaratri – In celebration of Siva performing his celestial dance of destruction, Hindus prepare feasts and hold fairs at Siva Temples island-wide.
March
The Medin full moon Poya day is one of the 12 Poyas in the Buddhist calendar. This particular occassion commemorates Buddha visiting his home to preach to his father King Suddhondana and other relatives, revealing the path to enlightenment and final deliverance. On this day, Buddhists in Sri Lanka cease worldly pursuits and engage in religious activities.
During the first quarter of the year, Galle Fort will host the first ever Galle Film Festival which will feature Sri Lankan, South Asian and international films. An extensive programme of workshops on screenwriting, directing, acting, and cinematography will be held. A preview of this international film festival was held during November 2008 when the legendary writer/director Paul Schrader presented his latest film `Adam Resurrected’ and director Ketan Mettah presented `Rang Rasiya’ (Colours of Passion). Similar to the Galle Literary Festival, the 2009 Galle Film Festival is tipped to be another world-class event.
April
April is a holiday month in Sri Lanka where the Sinhalese and Tamil communities celebrate the dawning of the New Year. It’s a time when families get together to conduct traditional rituals, religious ceremonies, offer thanks for a good rice harvest, an wish peace and prosperity to all for the coming new year. Celebrations and traditional rituals are best seen in the rural areas. Colombo empties out during this time when most escape to the cooler hills or the sandy beaches. In anticipation of the holiday rush, Nuwara Eliya – the upcountry hill station, spruces itself up and various activities ranging from golf tournaments, motor cross races, and flower shows are all held. For those heading for the southern beaches, Whale and Dolphin spotting is an immensely rewarding experience at this time of the year, offered by the Mirissa Watersports based in the Mirissa harbour. Bak Full Moon Poya Day – The Bak full moon Poya day is one of the 12 Poyas in the Buddhist calendar. This particular occassion commemorates the second visit of the Buddha to Sri Lanka, which took place in the fifth year of his Supreme Enlightenment. On this day, Buddhists in Sri Lanka cease worldly pursuits and engage in religious activities Good Friday – Christian festival day celebrated in Negombo.
May
Vesak Festival – Vesak is the main Buddhist religious festival in Sri Lanka. During this time, people celebrate the triple anniversary of Lord Buddha – his birth, his attaining of Enlightenment and his passing away into Nirvana. Also known as the Buddhist Festival of Light, colorful bamboo-framed lanterns adorn the interior of every home and incredible luminous displays decorate the streets of most towns. Visit Bhauddoloka Mawatha, the main street in Colombo, to catch this glowing spectacle in full glory.
Vesak marks the first month of the Buddhist Calendar. This is a day spent in reflective prayer as people cease wordly pursuits and engage themselves in religious activities. Devoted Buddhists pray in temples from dawn until dusk. As the sun sets, devotees partake in processions and return to the temples in the evening to hear monks read stories from sacred texts.
Stalls on the roadside distribute free refreshments to passers-by and there are some fantastic mime and street theatre performances, staged on tall platforms near temples in cities and towns throughout the country.
June
During the full-moon poya day of June, Buddhists celebrate Poson when the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Mahinda is remembered. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees flock to Buddhist shrines across the country to pay homage to the Buddha, Dhamma (Buddha’s teachings) and the Sangha (the Budhhist monks). Mihintale where Buddhism originated on the island in 247 BC is takes on a serene air during this period with thousands of pilgrims lighting incense and oil lamps in honour of Buddha.
July
During full-moon in July, the sacred jungle shrine of Kataragama becomes even more intriguing and full of sound and colour when the Esala Perehara is held for two weeks in honour of God Skandha, the warrior god of Kataragama. The perehara depicts Hindu folklore, music and dance forms, as well as fire walking in sacrifice and devotion to God Kataragama. Devotees flock to Kataragama’s Hindu shrines especially when poojas (devotions) are presented to the Gods. Baskets filled with fruit and flowers, burning incense and oil lamps, dashing of coconuts, clanging of bells, and the continuous chanting – a mesmerizing experience not to be missed.
August
During the month of August, Kandy dazzles for two weeks with the sounds and lights of the Kandy Perehara – a magnificent procession where the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is majestically paraded on elephant back along the streets of Kandy. This ritual, which has been taking place for hundreds of years, is an experience of a lifetime. Scores of elephants all dressed in their finery, Kandyan chiefs in their traditional royal attire, thousands of dancers, drummers, flag bearers, and Buddhist monks, all walk in procession in honour of Lord Buddha. Thousands of people line the streets of Kandy to get a glimpse of the golden casket and to pay homage to Lord Buddha.
September
National Festival of Kites – The National Festival of Kites is held annually to encourage the creativity of Sri Lankan children and adults. Every September, large crowds gather to admire a sky filled with kites made from colourful sarees and dried leaves. In 2006, Mount Lavinia Beach provided an idyllic setting for Sri Lanka’s National Festival of Kites. Around 180 participants took part, with competitions for both children and adults. First prize for the creative category was awarded to B G Ratnasri who used palm leaves and bird feathers to make an owl kite.
Navarathri Festival – Every year, Hindus throughout Sri Lanka join communities around the world in celebrating the nine-day Navarathri festival. To commemorate the nine days and nights that Goddess Durga fought the Asura, she is worshipped in all her innumerable forms, signifying the triumph of good, piety and devotion over evil. Also referred to as Dasara, prayers are held for first three nights for Goddess Thurgai (bravery), second three nights for Goddess Lakshmi (wealth) and the final three nights for Goddess Saraswathy (education).
Those who are fortunate enough to visit the Minneriya National Park during the dry season in September will witness an intriguing site when hundreds of elephants make their way from the surrounding north central province jungle areas to the Minneriya lake in search of food and water. Huge heard of elephants, sometimes numbering upto 300, converge together within a few square kilometers of the Lake – an amazing sight to see.
October
The Sri Lankan Airlines Golf Classic is an amateur tournament held annually at the beautiful Victoria Golf Club, just outside Kandy. Attracting the cream of Sri Lankan Golf and enthusiasts from around the world, the event offers participants the opportunity to test themselves on a truly competitive golf course.
The beautiful Victoria Golf & Country Resort’s accolades speak for themselves: ‘Best Course in Asia 2005′ Asian Golf monthly ranked in ‘Top 100 Most Beautiful courses in the World,’ by Golfers Digest. Set in the spectacular Kandyan hill country, this Donald Steel designed course is a true test of all your golfing ability. The much anticipated annual Sri Lankan Airlines Golf Classic is held in October at this picturesque golf course.
November
World Spice Festival – The culinary delights of the World Spice Festival draw on a fusion of Sri Lankan spices and cooking methods as well as the talents of visiting chefs and the signature spices from their home countries. With mouth-watering recipes from Africa, China, India, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia, visitors and locals savour every last spicy bite.
With the beginning of the season, the North West coastal town of Kalpitiya is a must for Whale and Dolphin spotting. Sightings of huge pods of upto two thousand Spinner Dolphins have been reported during the season. These Dolphins often swim along side the boats and frolic in the seas – a thrilling site for children and adults alike. Alankuda Beach, a popular eco-resort, is well equipped with safety vests and boats to take guests out to sea.
December
Christmas celebrations – Sri Lanka is home for many Christians who celebrate Christmas in grand style. The festival season is marked by street decorations in many places of the city. Christmas carols are common and most of the major corporate companies customarily throw Christmas parties, especially on the eve of Christmas. City hotels plan Christmas programmers ahead and hold gala dinner dances on the eve of Christmas. Most of the churches also hold mid-night mass on the eve of Christmas. It is a public and bank holiday.
New year’s eve celebrations – Traditional activities on New Year Eve include dinner dances, partying till dawn, firecrackers. Most of the hotels in the country will host events to celebrate the New Year. Churches hold mid-night mass on the eve of New Year.
