Tag Archives: Sri Lanka

Honouring the Buddha – Vesak Festival in Sri Lanka

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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 sticks in front of a Buddha statue is usually the way Buddhists honour the Buddha. Some spend the whole day at the temple meditating and listening to sermons. Bars and abattoirs are closed some days ahead of Vesak in an effort to curtail alcohol and meat consumption among Buddhists. Distribution of food and clothing among the destitute and to inmates of charitable homes on Vesak day is thought to be a meritorious action by many Buddhists in the country.

As Vesak in Sri Lanka is commemorated according to local traditions the cultural aspect of it is as important as the religious one. Homes, public places even whole streets are decorated with Buddhist flags, bunting, coloured electric lights, paper lanterns of all shapes and sizes and oil lamps. The ‘torana’ which is an integral part of this Buddhist commemoration is found in towns throughout the country with pictorial depictions of Buddha’s many lives illuminated in imaginative ways and set to music.

Hundreds if not thousands of people queue up alongside these ‘toranas’ to view them and listen to devotional songs. Another cultural tradition is free food stalls by the roadside and in towns throughout and country offering everything from soft drinks to ice cream and complete traditional Sri Lankan meals. Another more recent phenomenon is groups of people singing devotional songs on public and even mobile stages. Vesak is also the time when a tide of people goes on pilgrimage to the holy cities of Anuradhapura and Kandy and to worship at other famous holy places.

Walker Tours have been in the forefront of delivering excellent service in handling in bound and out bound tours for visitors and Sri Lankans for many years. As one of premier tour operators in the country they deliver excellent Sri Lanka Beach Resorts for groups and individuals that encompass many unique aspects of local culture. Experience Kalpitiya Hotels that are fun and informative and stay at some of the best accommodation available in the country.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Vesak Festival – In Honour of Lord Buddha

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Being a Buddhist country, Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world to experience the Vesak Festival which is an important annual event for devotees. Those planning Sri Lanka travel excursions during this time can make use of Jetwing Travels which is a reputed name in the tour industry. They offer a variety of Sri Lanka tours that will take you around the country, which is a treat especially during Vesak.

This festival generally takes place on the full moon during a particular lunar month which usually falls in May. Honouring the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha, Vesak is a festive occasion and ceremonies and celebrations last for around a week. A unique feature during this time is the setting up and display of a wide range of colourful lanterns as well as massive pandols that pictorially depict stories from the 550 Jataka Katha which are stories on the past life of Lord Buddha. Another custom during this time is the installation of various stalls around the streets, where free food and drinks are given as an act of reverence to this sacred day.

 

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Sri Lanka Cultural Values & Business Etiquette- Respect and adhere!

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People with welcoming smiles, generous hearts and warm hospitality are the features tightly woven to Sri Lankan culture. The island being one of the spectacular event venues, if you are looking for event planners in Sri Lanka to organize your corporate gathering or the business conference, Nkar Mice is one of the pioneering companies specialized in event management in Sri Lanka. Whether you are on leisure or business, if you are on a visit to this paradisiacal island, do not forget to educate yourself of its cultural values and business etiquettes. Sri Lankans who have the highest regard for their cultural values do not encourage overt physical displays of affection in public. Being predominantly a Buddhist country, visitors are expected to be in decent attire when visiting temples. Although the country boasts of beautiful sunny beaches, nudity is not allowed in any of the beaches in Sri Lanka. It is the normal practice in Sri Lanka to greet anyone by saying “Ayubowan”- May you live long. Knowing some of these cultural values and etiquettes unique to the island will always come in handy when wandering in Sri Lanka.

 

Vesak – Festival of light

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Celebrating the birth, enlightenment and the death of Lord Buddha, Vesak is a veritable celebration of light. Celebrated by Buddhists all over the world, Sri Lanka cloaks itself in bright lights, lanterns and much festivity during this time of the year, enveloping the whole of the country in a sense of joyful celebration. There are many Sri Lanka hotels which offer guests accommodation during this time amongst which Heritance Ayurveda Maha Gedara offrs the additional advantage of treatments of Ayurveda Sri Lanka is quite famous for. Vesak in Sri Lanka falls on a full moon poya day in the month of May and is celebrated for a period of two weeks. During this time, entire families get together to make colourful lanterns and gigantic pandols decorated with multicoloured lights are being put up everywhere in the country depicting stories of Buddha’s life. One is not lacking of forms of entertainment during this period as various types of performances are being held all over the country alongside roads which are keenly participated by many people each night. Also seen commonly during this time of the year is the offering of free food and drinks alongside the roads to the poor and whoever may have it as an act of charity and good will.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+

Sinhala and Tamil New Year Celebration in Sri Lanka

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One of the most important annual festivals in Sri Lanka, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a colourful cultural event that is celebrated throughout the island. Look to embark on your Sri Lanka travel adventures during the month of April which is when this festival takes place. A great way to see the sights of this event is by taking Sri Lanka tours organised by Jetwing Travels which provide a truly authentic holiday experience.

Generally falling on April 13th and 14th, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a time for family reunions, observing religious customs, making traditional sweet meats and of course engaging in fun community games. The observance of customs such as boiling milk and lighting of the traditional oil lamp are done according to a special auspicious time, while Buddhists attend the temple and Hindus visit the kovil. During the festive period communities band together to take part in a number of contests, while the traditional beating of the “rabana” which is a big, round and flat drum, is accompanied by song.

 

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Dining in Hikkaduwa – Culinary Delights by the Coast

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Tucked away along the South Coast of Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa offers an idyllic getaway by the sea and features a range of dining venues where one can introduce your taste buds to some exotic flavours and aromas. Look to stay at Sri Lanka villas on the South Coast that are within easy reach of Hikkaduwa. One such option is Safforon and Blue by Jetwing, a Sri Lanka luxury villa which also features its own delectable dining options.

Make sure to head to Hikkaduwa where apart from its sun-kissed beach and idyllic setting also offers plenty of eateries, restaurants and cafes, mostly near the shore. Seafood is served in many places letting you enjoy fresh dishes featuring prawns, crabs and more. Beachside cafes are ideal spots to unwind and enjoy relaxed meals and drinks with friends and family as you watch the world go slowly by. Apart from local cuisine, several restaurants also serve international dishes as well. One form of cuisine that is a particular favourite are “rottis” which are a flour based item which is served with an eclectic array of items that range from cheese to chocolate!

Sinhala and Tamil New Year – a cultural festival of colour

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For all Sinhalese and Hindus, April is all about festivity. From the end of March even the environment seems to feel this heart-warming change. The trees look much greener with flowers blossoming covering up every inch making it look like Mother Nature’s decorations done specially for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. To add to this beautiful site, the sound of the cuckoo bird can be heard as the background music throughout this special time. While nature gets ready to celebrate this festival in its own way, the people in Sri Lanka too start adding their contribution to enhance the excitement.

Everything is done according to an auspicious time, so when the time gets closer the astrologers in the country get together to give the proper auspicious times that the people need in order to follow the traditional routines. Since all schools are on vacation the involvement of children with the celebrations is very high. Families get together to give a new look to their home as every house gets a fresh coat of paint and new appliances. Then the preparations of sweetmeats begin. The aroma of freshly prepared sweets can be felt anywhere you go.

The sound of laughter can be heard from every corner of the country. Children and adults have their special traditional New Year games which are very simple but fascinating to watch or even join. All shops would have the massive red discount signs plastered on their doors and windows inviting the shoppers to come and visit them for a good deal. Shops would be packed with both the young and old who would be buying hoards of gifts for their loved ones.

The sound of fire crackers can be heard weeks ahead. The end of the old year is considered as an inauspicious time where no important work is done. During this time people visit temples and avoid any other activity. This time is called the nonagathaya. The dawn of the New Year is marked by the endless sound of fire crackers while a pot of milk is kept on the fire and is let to overflow to symbolise a prosperous year ahead. The day continues with more celebrations and get-togethers where everyone enjoys to their heart’s content.

So if you are planning a trip to Sri Lanka, then the month of April would be the best time to enjoy the local culture. Celebrating the New Year in the coastal area would be more refreshing. Accommodation would not be an issue at any time. Palagama Beach Kalpitiya is one of the many Sri Lanka beach resorts where you could relax and unwind while on vacation. It is amongst the leading Kalpitiya hotels and has all modern amenities and delicious cuisine that would make your vacation in paradise a reality.

Team Building Activities – building team spirit for the better

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Organising team building activities is one of the ways in which a business organisation can help aid the growth of its employees. Well known as great learning curves and fun-filled activities, those seeking event planners in Sri Lanka could turn to Nkar Mice. Offering the most sought after of event management Sri Lanka experiences; the team will offer you advice on how to make your event so much better and enjoyable.

From team building exercises, day outings to full day seminars, such are the options made available to corporate. The setting for your programme is one of the important factors that must be given due consideration. Making sure that your employees are comfortable with all the facilities is vital so that you get the best out of everyone who participates. Also having a diverse range of activities on your agenda is a key ingredient in an effort to maintain the interest levels throughout the day. Interactive sessions are fast becoming the trend in modern day team building sessions where great emphasis is given to the active participation of the participants. Having the right type of audio visual equipment will also make sure that your event goes smoothly as planned with less room technical faults. Such are the factors that will enable you to carry out exemplary team building activities for the betterment of your employees who contribute towards the development of your organisation.

 

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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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.