Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Month by Month
TOP EVENTS
Duruthu Perahera
, January
Maha Sivarathri
, March
Aurudu (New Year)
, April
Vesak Poya
, May
Kandy Esala Perahera
, August
January
At the peak of the tourist season when crowds are at their largest, many pop-
ular towns have special events such as the fast-growing literary festival at
Galle.
Duruthu Perahera
Held on the
poya
(full-moon) day at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara in Colombo, and
second in importance only to the huge Kandy
perahera
(procession), this festival celebrates
the first of Buddha's three visits to Sri Lanka.
Thai Pongal
Held in mid-January, this Hindu winter-harvest festival honours the sun god Surya. It is im-
portant to Tamils in Sri Lanka and South India. Look for the special sweet dish,
pongal
,
which is made with rice, nuts and spices.
