Tag Archives: Sri Lanka

Poson Festival, a significant milestone in Sri Lankan history

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mihintale

Mihintale Rock by Jolle~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The Poson Festival natively referred to as Poson Poya in Sri Lanka celebrates the introduction of Buddhism to the country during the third century BC. It is a significant historical event to the country where majority of people practices Buddhism as their religion.

The Mihintale rock plays a significant role during the Poson Festival which is held during the month of June, since it is said that it was in Mihintale where King Devanampiyatissa of Sri Lanka was converted to Buddhism by the Arahat Mahinda who came from India. With this legend Mihintale has become the main site for festive activities during Poson and many locals and foreigners visit Mihintale during this season to perform religious rites as well as for leisure.

There are many religious activities organized during the period of Poson including Sil Campaigns and Bodhi Poojas in temples in which only Buddhists participate. Dansal which are set up with the aim of giving away food and beverage to people sees the participation of all religious and ethnic groups.

Generally a Dansala is organized by a group of people or an individual and various food such as rice and curry, sandwiches, boiled chickpeas as well as tea, coffee and fruit juices are served to those who visit the Dansala free of charge as a charitable act.

There are several other rituals that come with Poson. Devotional songs are sung by Buddhists in every nook and corner while Poson Pandols which are colourfully lit illustrations from the 550 Jataka Katha or the 550 past life stories of the Lord Buddha can also be seen in plenty in every city of the country. These pandols are veritable sights glistening at night and many people from around the country come to see them in the late evening till past midnight.

Sri Lanka is a country that is rich in tradition and culture; you will find that the people are hospitable and easy to talk to. There is much to see in this beautiful island and the mouthwatering local cuisines must be tasted if you make a visit to the country.

Travelling in the country is quite safe and you will find Sri Lanka car rental services such as the Malkey rent a car that offers vehicles that are comfortable and in good condition to travel to any part of the country. You will be able to hire a vehicle for airport transfers Sri Lanka as well but make sure you go to a reliable source since you wouldn’t want to miss your flight!

At the Feet of a Master – Vesak Festival

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Vesak is a holy day for millions of Buddhist around the world as it commemorates Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and ‘parinirvana’ or passing away. The exact day of the festival varies according to the lunar calendars of various cultures but in Theravada Buddhist countries following the Buddhist Calendar it generally falls on a full moon day on the 6th lunar month which is usually in May. The name Vesak itself is a derivative of the name for the lunar month occurring from April to May. Although festivals to mark Vesak had been taking place for several centuries, the decision to celebrate Vesak worldwide as Buddha’s birthday was taken at the first conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists held in Sri Lanka in 1950. The United Nations started observing Vesak at their head quarters and offices around the world from 1999.

Vesak is celebrated by Buddhists according to the traditions laid down in their cultures. In Sri Lanka many Buddhists rise early in the morning to gather at temples in time for the first prayers, to offer flowers, light candles and joss sticks to honour the Buddha, hoist Buddhist flags. Many wear simple white clothing and spend the whole day in the temple meditating and listening to sermons. Refraining from consuming alcohol and meat of any sort is advocated and liquor shops and abattoirs remain closed for several days.
This is also the day that Buddhists will make an effort to bring a little bit of happiness into the lives of the less fortunate by distributing gifts of food and clothing among the destitute and to inmates of charitable homes. Food and refreshment is also distributed to those engaged in religious observances at temples.

Vesak in Sri Lanka while an important religious occasion is also a cultural festival of sorts as it highlights the Sri Lankan way of observing the festival. Homes, public places even whole streets are decorated with coloured electric lights, paper lanterns of all shapes and sizes, oil lamps, flags and bunting. In the bigger towns there is always a big ‘torana’ with pictures depicting Buddha’s various reincarnations lit up with elaborately designed electric circuitry. A carnival like atmosphere prevails. Adding to the buzz are free food stalls all over cities and main highways with offerings ranging from soft drinks to ice cream and complete meals. Groups of people from religious societies, businesses and government organizations sing devotional songs on stages put up for the purpose. During Vesak there is a massive movement of people all over the country as they go on pilgrimages particularly to the holy cities of Anuradhapura and Kandy and move from villages to cities to worship at famous temples and to generally be a part of the celebrations.

Shanti Travels Sri Lanka offers tailor made Sri Lanka tour packages to suit any budget as well as to expose visitors to the best possible travel experience. Several well thought out holiday packages Sri Lanka is offered so that travelers will discover the country’s best natural aspects as well as its diverse culture and people.

When Sri Lanka welcomes the Sinhala & Tamil New Year in April

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The period of transit from the last star sign to the first is supposed to be one of defame and bad luck and nothing auspicious is started during that period. In contrast, people try to engage in various religious activities or games and play items abstaining from their usual work, or studying or even for housewives their important household work.

The onset of New Year becomes visible even in the weather, as the days grow longer and warmer and sunnier while the mangoes and fruits like Cashew nuts become rounder and riper, their aroma drifting through the villages. The flower called ‘Erabadu’ is one blossom that fills the trees during this particular season and the faithful and timely crowing of the Cuckoo bird is also a sign that heralds the New Year.

A foreigner visiting Sri Lanka at this time around would do well to walk through the remote villages to find many of the authentic games and traditions of the island still being practiced diligently while a great number of games, from ‘Chak gudu’ to smaller games like ‘Pancha’ can be seen conducted by the young and old. At the end of the auspicious period, there are a number of auspicious times, to commence one’s important duties and a time to cook the first meal and a time to consume it together with the family. The aroma of sweet meats that are inherent to the New Year can be experienced coming from many a household. Sweetmeats like ‘Kevum’, the cracker like ‘Kokis’ the starchy sweet ‘Aluwa’ are just to name a few. There is a lot of sharing of food in the neighbor hood and children go around worshipping their elders while they give gifts for the children.

In Sri Lanka, Kalutara is a fairly village like yet rather urban town, where the practices of New Year are diligently performed. So many a Hotel in Kalutara also shares the festivities of the New Year with its patrons. Avani Kalutara Resort enjoys a spectacular location with one side overlooking the endless serenity of the Indian Ocean while the other side glances over the soft waters of the Kalu River. From among the many Beach Resorts Sri Lanka Kalutara, this is one that enjoys this privilege of being placed in this exotic location while providing contemporary conveniences and superb residing options to an international clientele.

Sinhalees & Tamil New Year – The Time to Celebrate

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The month of April is the most celebrated month in the Sri Lankan calendar. It is a month for holiday, tradition, unity and pure cultural fun; the month of the renowned festival in the entire calendar; the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. A lot of astrological belief stands behind the significance of this festival. The period of the festival falls at the time when the sun moves from the House of Pisces to the House of Aries. On April 14th the sun stands directly above the island of Sri Lanka. The festival -known as Aluth Avurudu in Sinhala and Puththandu in Tamil- marks the end of the harvest season and commemorates the beginning of a new year in the Saka Era.

Culture comes alive during the auspicious time of this festival. Houses are cleaned and oil lamps are lit. Women adorn themselves in traditional attire, the colors of which are decided by the astrologers. In some areas of the island the Raban drum is given a big significance. Women from one neighborhood congregate in a single location and play upon the raban, traditionally this took place to bring awareness of change in the year. Fire is lit and Kiribath is prepared. Kiribath or Milk Rice is a traditional breakfast prepared in Sri Lanka on the morning of any auspicious occasion. It is certainly a must try for those visiting the island. The season of the festival also brings to the table an array of other local delights and sweets. These include Kavum, Kokis, Aluwa, Vali Thalapa and many more. By evening families leave their homes to visit friends and relatives. The New Year is one of the most unique and auspicious time for both the Sinhalese and Tamil race. They make business deals at this time, they start new resolutions and they celebrate. Sometime during the second and third day of the celebration ‘the avurudu Utsavaya’ takes place. This involves a lot of traditional games, competitions and fun.

Sri Lanka’s traditions come alive in different ways in different parts of the island. Shanti Travel Sri Lanka offers experience an exemplary quality of Sri Lanka Tour Packages. These holiday packages Sri Lanka has enables you to cover all there is to see in this beautiful island.

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.

Traditional New Year Festival, a joyous time in Sri Lanka

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The traditional New Year is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm by the majority of the residents of Sri Lanka. Interestingly the timing and nature of the New Year celebrations bear affinity with the corresponding traditions amongst several South and South-east Asian peoples. The Sri Lankan New Year falls on the 13th and 14th of April and is marked as a public holiday in the country. This auspicious occasion is considered to herald the ending of spring and the harvest season.newyear

The distinctive traditions and rituals are said to be derived from the rich history and cultural traditions of the nation. These beliefs were influenced by the advent of Buddhism, the main religion of the country, to create the colourful and vibrant customs and rites to be seen today. Many of the New Year activities are conducted according to auspicious times calculated by astrologers.

The month of April is known as ‘Bak’ in the Buddhist traditional calendar. At this time the sun is said, in astrological terms, to enter the ‘House of Aries’ from the ‘House of Pisces’ in the celestial regions. Unlike in Western tradition there is a ‘neutral phase’, the nonagathe between the end of the previous year and the commencement of the new year; during this time it is considered appropriate to abstain from material activities and instead engage oneself in religious pursuits or customary games.

The cultural ceremonies commence after the dawn of the New Year with houses being cleaned and a ceremonial oil lamp being lighted. In some neighbourhoods women get together to play the rabana, a kind of drum. The entire family involves itself in the customs, which are all conducted in harmony with astrological computations. The fires are lit, the customary milk rice is prepared, ceremonial monetary transactions are conducted and the first repasts are taken in accordance with the auspicious timings. Firecrackers are lit to mark these auspicious times.

images (49)After these important rituals, the festive atmosphere truly sets in, with families meeting in the lanes, homes opened to welcome friends and relatives and children allowed to play. Fresh bananas are served to guests with the customary oil cakes, kevum and other sweetmeats. Special programmes are aired on state and private media to add to the festive spirit.

Travellers planning to visit Sri Lanka can look to the John Keells Hotels Group for quality Sri Lanka hotels offering outstanding accommodations and service.

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National Day of Sri Lanka, a momentous occasion

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images (46)Sri Lanka’s National Day, also called Independence Day is a very important occasion for all Sri Lankans. On this day all Sri Lankan citizens unite to affirm their national pride and joy in the autonomy and unity of their country. This significant event falls on February 4th, the day on which independence was granted to the nation from the colonial power Britain in the year 1948. An important national holiday, this event is an occasion for countrywide celebrations with flag-raising ceremonies, parades, performances and dances.

Sri Lanka in its rich and eventful history has experienced numerous national conflicts, and these struggles are all recalled and commemorated on this day; however, the independence struggle against the last colonizers, the British Empire is particularly remembered.

The highlight of the occasion is the speech made by the President of the nation, who typically reminisces on the achievements and progress made by the government within the year past, discusses issues of importance and expresses the need for continued development. The President expresses the nation’s reverence and gratitude towards its courageous heroes and patriots who made sacrifices in the service of the nation. Typically two minutes of reverent silence are adhered to in their honour and the President pledges to protect and develop the nation with the assistance of all citizens.images (47)

A highlight on this momentous occasion is a grand display by the armed forces, showcasing the might of the army, air force, navy, police and civil defence force. In this way the courage, commitment, nationalism and perseverance in achieving independence and unity is recollected in the minds of the Sri Lankan people.

There is also a festive aspect to the celebrations with singing, dancing and other performances held to emphasize national solidarity and the shared culture of the country. Additionally many religious ceremonies are conducted in places of worship throughout the country to pray for prosperity and peace, and the well-being of the people and the armed forces. The various media take this opportunity to promote ideals like confidence, bravery, unity, dedication, patriotism and responsibility in the hearts and minds of the people.

If you intend to visit Sri Lanka the excellent Sri Lanka hotels of the John Keells Hotels Group are an ideal choice, offering superior accommodations and attentive hospitality.

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National Day – Celebrating Sri Lanka’s Birth as an Independent Nation

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Tipped to be one of the most popular public holidays in the island nation of Sri Lanka, the National Day celebrations is a commemorative occasion to mark the country’s independence from Britain. Having gained independence from the British Crown on that hallowed day in February, 1948 the national celebrations of Independence Day recount memories from the colonial era and the hard fought freedom from foreign rule that was won due to the sacrifices and foresight of many national heroes and iconic political forces. Falling on the 4th of February each year, the Independence Day of the island formerly known as Ceylon by its foreign rulers, is a grand occasion that celebrates the country’s progress in the post-colonial era and in modern times with larger than life parades, traditional folk items and flag hoisting ceremonies.

Watched by millions of Sri Lankan citizens on television and attended by the country’s political elite and foreign diplomatic mission representatives, the state celebration of Independence Day was conducted at the iconic Galle Face Green in Colombo till recent times but has been held in other major cities in the island in the past several years. This included hill capital Kandy while the 2012 state Independence Day celebrations were marked in the ancient citadel of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle.

Following the program of Independence Day events that came before it, the celebrations included a televised speech by the country’s head of state President Mahinda Rajapakse who spoke on the challenges of the year ahead as well as the many strides towards development that have already taken place. He also paid tribute to the nation’s forces for their relentless service to the motherland. The speech was followed by a moment of silence for patriots and military personnel who lost their lives in the country’s civil war.

The procession begins with a show of military might as the various regiments of the country’s army, navy and air force take centre stage. Students from across the country performing traditional dance items are next in line along with marching bands from various local schools as well as cultural items that reflect the ethnic diversity of the island. The 2012 edition included 45 such cultural performances in the parade while a religious ceremony was conducted nearby with the participation of 300 invitees including religious leaders.

Travellers in search of elegant resorts in Bentota should look no further than the stylish Avani Bentota Resort for all their accommodation needs. Offering guests a resplendent Bentota hotel in a scenic seaside location, this luxurious rest pulls out all the stops when it comes to idyllic beach holidays in Sri Lanka.

Tamil Thai Pongal- A Festival of Thanking

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A harvest festival that has its origins in South India, Thai Pongal is a thanksgiving festival held in honour of the Sun God Surya. Occurring every year from January 13th to the 15th, the timing of Thai Pongal is calculated according to astronomic events. The festival coincides with the movement of the Sun to Makaram or Capricorn.

During this auspicious celebration, houses are decorated with banana and mango leaves while intricate and coulourful patterns called ‘Kolams’ decorate the floor. Boiling of milk and its spilling over is a significant tradition during the Tamil Thai Pongal. It represents abundance and prosperity that will be plentiful in the household. While the milk spills over people shout ‘Pongalo Pongal’ and watching the milk spill over is thought to be good luck.

The day preceding Thai Pongal is celebrated as Maattu Pongal. Cattle are considered sacred by Hindus and their vital role as the animal used for ploughing during the early days, makes them also equally important. Decorated with sweet-smelling garlands and bright coloured powder, they are fed jaggery, fruits, honey and sugar cane.

Tamil Thai Pongal is widely celebrated in Sri Lanka and is a national holiday. Many tourists visit the island during this time to experience the celebrations first-hand as well as enjoy the sun, sand and surfs. The town of Kalutara was once a capital when the region was under the rule of a Southern Indian Prince and so has a long history of celebrating the festival of Thai Pongal.

Hotel in Kalutara are mostly adjoining the beaches or within close proximity. Beach Resorts Sri Lanka Kalutara is available in various star classes. Avani Kalutara Resort is a newly refurbished hotel that was opened in October 2012 and is run by Serendib Hotels.

Kalutara also has many interesting sites such as the Kalu Ganga River, the Kalutara Vihara, the Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple and many more. If you are making the visit, then definitely take the time to explore the scrumptious seafood cuisine of Kalutara. From succulent tiger prawns to delicious lobsters, crabs to tender fish, there’s much to taste and enjoy.

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.

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Bodhgaya – A Sacred Buddhist Site

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Considered the site where Lord Buddha obtained Enlightenment, Bodhgaya in India is a key attraction especially for Buddhist devotees. Those planning Buddhist pilgrimage tours to Bodhgaya can make use of the packages offered by Mackinnons Travels. A reputed name amongst Sri Lanka travel agents, it offers visit to some of the key sites in the area including the Mahabodhi Temple and Bodhi Tree and the Sujata Temple. The Mahabodhi Temple is in fact a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is definitely worth a visit. As you explore the area you will also come across a variety of Buddhist temples constructed by different countries including Sri Lanka, China, Nepal, Bhutan and Japan. Each temple bears its own distinct style and offers a truly memorable pilgrimage and sightseeing tour.

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