"Sri
Lanka has an enormous range of Buddhist, Hindu, Christian
and Muslim festivals. The Kandy Esala Perahera (July/August)
is the country's most important and spectacular pageant, with
10 days of torchbearers, whip-crackers, dancers, drummers
and elephants lit up like giant birthday cakes.
It climaxes in
great procession honouring the Sacred Tooth Relic of Kandy.
Second in importance is the Duruthu Perahera (January), held
in Colombo, which celebrates a visit by Buddha to Sri Lanka."
The
period July-August is the Esala Perahera season in Sri
Lanka. The Sinhalese term 'perahera' means a train of
musicians, dancers, acrobats and other performers usually
accompanied by a number of elephants parading the streets
in celebration of a religious event.
The full moon
day of Duruthu marks the first visit of the Buddha to
Sri Lanka. In commemoration of this visit a procession
(perahera) is held for three nights in the month of
January at Kelaniya. It is a colourful pageant.
This full moon
day is a day of great significance to Buddhists. It
marks the Birth, Enlightenment and Passing Away of the
Buddha. Buddhist house are decorated and illuminated
with Vesak lanterns and electric lamps.
Kataragama
in the far eastern corner of the Island is the abode
of God Skandha, the Warrior God. The main event at Kataragama
is the perahera or the procession held for two weeks
in July/August every year culminating with an awe inspiring
'fire walking' ceremony.
Although the
conventional New Year is celebrated in January, the
Sinhala New Year is marked by the entry of the Sun from
the zodiacal sign of Pisces (the last sector) to Aries
(the first sector) and is celebrated in April. (Usually
on 13th or 14th of April)
Independence
Day celebrations on the 4th of February every year commemorating
the granting of independence from British rule take
the form of a national festival with State participation.
Celebrations are held throughout the Island on this
day.
