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Sinhala and Tamil New Year, a joyous festival

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The much anticipated Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of the most vibrant festivals celebrated in the island nation of Sri Lanka. As its name suggests the festival is observed by both of the two largest communities in Sri Lanka. Falling on the 14th of April this festival is closely linked to the local astrological traditions which regulate the event.

Overall the new year celebrations can be seen to be a complex blend of Buddhist, Hindu, astrological and other indigenous traditions. Many of the new year customs, rituals and festivities are thought to have originated as celebrations marking the completion of the harvest. After the arrival of Buddhism the existing customs were modified in the light of the new religion.

Many interesting festivities are associated with the occasion. Unlike Western new year celebrations, in the Sri Lankan tradition there is a neutral period of a number of hours between the end of the previous year and the commencement of the anticipated new year. In this neutral ‘nonagathe’ interval Sri Lankans are advised to refrain from serious work or study and instead to engage in religious customs or amuse themselves with traditional pastimes.

The main cultural customs begin soon after the commencement of the new year. The home is cleaned and a customary oil lamp is lighted. In rural communities women often get together to play upon the raban (a kind of drum) to welcome the new year. The other customs are carried out according to precise astrological computations. At exactly the correct auspicious moments the hearth is lit, the festive milk rice is prepared, token transactions are carried out and the festive food is enjoyed. In addition to the milk rice other festive foods include the hath maluwa (curry with seven ingredients), oil cake, other festive sweetmeats and bananas.

At the various auspicious timings you will hear the sound of firecrackers. After the customs are completed, people mingle in homes and the streets and there is a joyous spirit in the air. At this time everyday cares are forgotten and everybody enjoys the festive atmosphere.

If you are visiting this magical country and are interested in Sri Lanka car rental there is no better choice than the reliable Malkey Rent A Car. This is an excellent choice for an airport taxi in Colombo Sri Lanka or other transport requirements.

Nuwara Eliya Spring Festival – When a Beautiful World Just Got Prettier, One Cannot Cease to Celebrate

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As the veils of powdery mists engulf the mighty mountain range, re-telling a love story that is as old as time, the air grows colder and the soft winds whisper the secrets so charming, to tree and turret. Flowers bloom bright and dance to spring time songs, while melodies echo of the gay singing birds. “Little England”, they called it, this little town where romance beams every step of the way, Nuwara Eliya.

In a land that sees no winter snow, the dawn of spring is rarely celebrated. However in this little town of romance, when all the colours in the world burst out in jubilant song in flower and bud everywhere and the happy chorus of the birds singing spring time songs echo thorough the air, the people of the town awake to a new kind of charm. Banners welcoming spring wave in the skies, as people prepare to celebrate the many activities that spring bring with it as they have been doing since the colonial times. Many tourists gather in the town of Nuwara Eliya, during the Spring Festival to become a part of these good times.

Racecourse of Nuwara Eliya is utilised to its fullest capacity during this period where races are run to win the many awards and cups that are being given out. Apart from the horse races, motor races also take the modern face of racing and the Nuwara Eliya Road Race, 4X4 Lake Cross on the edge of Lake Gregory and the Mahagastotte and Radella Hill Climbs are held during the period while large crowds gather and watch.

Golf, being a popular sport played in Nuwara Eliya, also becomes a part of the celebration of the spring as a golf tournament complementing the list of events in style. Carnivals and the Annual Flower show also beautify the Spring Festival of he town so wholly that one may not regret a trip to this little part of sunny Sri Lanka during this period.

Getting to the city of Nuwara Eliya is best arranged though an airport taxi in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Many reliable and trusted Sri Lanka car rental companies can be found and one could consider contacting Malkey Rent A Car, that offers transport from the airport to any part of the island, for a safe and a reliable transportation service.

The Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival

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Floating away like colorful dreams across the March skies of the paradise island, will be hot air balloons of many colors and shapes during a happy festive time. While those below view the spectacular sight enraptured, the ones on high will be speechless at the vista spread beneath their feet. The Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival in Sri Lanka, will come alive in its vibrant form in the month of March, when the weather is fine and the sun shines bright all day.

The event, which is organized by Air Magic, which is a leading hot air ballooning company in Sri Lanka, will last for 10 fun-filled days in Colombo, and is visited by many enthusiasts from all across the world. Close to 40 participants from around the world take part in this colorful event, which is gaining popularity in the country now.

The paradise island of Sri Lanka is truly a wonder to behold, and from way up high, her unseen beauty to the explorer of the ground, will be witnessed in its true magnificent form. The route covers historically prominent locations in the country like the great lion rock of Sigiriya, the glorious ancient city of Kandy and the commercial capital of the country, Colombo. Majestic creatures roaming freely in the jungles surrounding Sigiriya will be spotted along with glories of yesteryear that is revealed in ancient ruins atop the great Sigririya rock. The Temple of the Tooth, or the ‘Dalada Maligawa’ will gleam in the sun when hovering over Kandy, while the aesthetically appealing modern structures of Colombo will charm the admirers on top.

For tourists who wish to visit the country for the festival, travelling need not be a major concern with the plethora of Sri Lanka car rental service companies available in the city of Colombo. Reaching the city from the Bandaranaike International Airport hardly takes an hour if you choose to take an airport taxi in Colombo. Sri Lanka being a small country, it can be explored far and wide using rented cars from trusted companies in the country. In a country where the public transport system is still in the developing stage, this option is quite suited to tourists who wish to take the maximum from their holiday in the country, as it helps save time as well. Out of the car rental companies in Sri Lanka, Malkey Rent A Car is a popular and a recommendable one.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

Sinhalese & Tamil New Year – Festivel Fun in Sri Lanka!

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A cultural celebration that brings together two ethnic races, the Sinhalese & Tamil New Year offers visitors a chance to experience some unique traditions and fun festivities when in Sri Lanka. Those planning to travel by car around the island during this time can make use of a Sri Lanka car rental company such as Malkey Travel & Tours. Travellers in search of airport transfers Sri Lanka has to offer can also make use of the services offered by this company which has an impressive fleet of vehicles.

Taking place during the month of April, the Sinhalese & Tamil New Year is a traditional festival that takes place at the end of the harvesting season. During this time people engage in such activities as cleaning their houses and preparing family meals. Many people visit their villages during this time and get-together with their families, while it is also customary to prepare certain traditional foods as milk rice and such sweetmeats as “kavum”. During this time it is also customary to hold a variety of games that provide plenty of fun for young and old alike.