Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Held at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara on the January
poya
.
Navam Perahera
RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL
( Feb)
On the February
poya
and led by 50 elephants; it starts from Gangaramaya Temple and is
held around Viharamahadevi Park and South Beira Lake.
Vesak Poya
RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL
( May)
The birth, enlightenment and the death of Buddha is celebrated across Colombo (and Sri
Lanka) but the festivities around Gangaramaya Temple and South Lake Beira are mind-
blowing. Huge eruptions of coloured light displays vie with hundreds of smaller displays
made by competing groups.
Dansala
stands, where food and treats are given away, are
everywhere.
Vel
RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL
( Jul or Aug)
During the Vel, the gilded chariot of Murugan (Skanda), the Hindu war god, is ceremoni-
ally hauled from the Kathiresan
kovil
to a
kovil
at Bambalapitiya.
