Located just south of India is the beautiful tropical island nation of Sri Lanka. Known for its rich heritage and blissful scenic beauty, Sri Lanka is a great place to visit if you are looking for vibrant and colourful cultural experience. With its many historic landmarks, pristine beaches and coastal features, lush forests and exotic wildlife, thriving hospitality and tourism industries, and diverse society, Sri Lanka is a land that offers you a range and experiences and opportunities. Located in the southern city of Galle is the Galle Fort, one of Sri Lanka’s most famous cultural historic landmarks. Declared as a world heritage site by the UNESCO, this fortress is known for its many cultural attractions and highlights which have dazzled both locals and tourists. …

The dragon boat festival is a unique celebration of tradition. Lively and full of fun, it is a festival worth taking part in. It has the combination of the thrill of competition, colorful decoration and plenty of beer. From the beginning to the end you will be immersed in a party atmosphere like never before. Choose an accommodation site such as the exceptional Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong and you won’t miss out on the festivities. The Hong Kong Dragon boat festival takes place every year sometime between the month of June and August. There is interesting history behind the event for the festival is actually a unique transformation of an ancient Chinese tradition where Dragon boats were used for various symbolic purposes. Today it is a mad …

The much anticipated Vishu Festival is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm in all sections of Kerala, an Indian state located in the southern region of the country. All over Kerala, people of all ages involve themselves in the festivities of this distinctive and elaborate festival. As the occasion is considered to feature light and sound, Keralites illuminate their homes with decorative lights and enthusiastically light bunches of firecrackers. Many interesting festivities and rituals are associated with this event. The central ritual of the festival is the time-honoured Vishukkani, which is a special arrangement of a number of auspicious items considered to symbolize prosperity. These include vegetables and fruits, rice, arecanut, leaves of betel, yellow konna flowers, a metal mirror, coins and sacred texts, which …

Also known as Duanwu, the Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional holiday in the Chinese calendar and in parts of Asia where Chinese immigrants live. In Singapore this annual race comes to life at the Bedok Reservoir. A significant number of crews participate in the Dragon boat race which commemorates the famous Chinese scholar Qu Yuan. Overall the festival is meant to be a celebration; it is a display of Chinese culture and habits. Those who are not racing at the event generally feast on some of the delicious Chinese cuisine prepared for the day. The main items available are rice dumplings and rice wine and the Bedok Reservoir is filled with stalls that serve steaming dumplings for the spectators. Enjoying Chinese food is simply …

There is something magical about the month of May in Sri Lanka; the colourful lanterns adorning the streets, the throngs of people, the life, the ambience; all of this is part of the season of Vesak. The festival of Vesak is observed on the full moon that falls on the month of May and in Sri Lanka, celebrations go on for a week. It is one of the most beautiful times of the year. Despite being a festival of contemplation and rejuvenation, there is an aura of life and fun. Hundreds of locals from right round the island visit Colombo and Kandy to bask in this spectacular ambience. If you are a planning a holiday to Sri Lanka, choose the month of May, so that …

Vesak that commemorates Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and ‘parinirvana’ is one of the holiest days for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. The day for the commemoration has been determined according to the Buddhist Calendar and falls on the first full moon day in May, the 6th lunar month. Vesak was the Pali and Sanskrit name given to the lunar month falling between April and May. The day itself is an Uposatha day which is dedicated to meditation and practicing the Buddha’s teachings. Buddhists in Sri Lanka commemorate Vesak according to traditions laid down by hundreds of years of observing this holy day. Many Buddhists start the day by joining other worshipers at temples around the country for the first prayers. Offering flowers, lighting candles and joss …