Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
February
The tourist crowds continue strong, with wintering Europeans baking them-
selves silly on the beaches. This is a busy month for Sri Lankans, with an
important national holiday.
Independence Day
Sri Lanka gained independence on 4 February 1948 and this day is commemorated every
year with festivals, parades, fireworks, sporting events and more across the nation. In Co-
lombo, motorcades shuffle politicians from one event to the next.
Navam Perahera
First celebrated in 1979, Navam Perahera is one of Sri Lanka's biggest and most flamboy-
ant
perahera
s. Held on the February
poya,
it starts from the Gangaramaya Temple and
travels around Viharamahadevi Park and Beira Lake in Colombo.
March
This is an important month for many of Sri Lanka's Buddhists and you'll see
them observing of Maha Sivarathri in the Ancient Cities areas and portions
of the west coast where they are in the majority.
Maha Sivarathri
In late February or early March the Hindu festival of Maha Sivarathri commemorates the
marriage of Shiva to Parvati with all-night vigils and more. It's the most important day for
Shaivites, who comprise the majority of Sri Lanka's Hindus.
