Spirited Cultural Festivals in Sri Lanka are held from time to time in different cities, towns, and locations around the country. The first of these festivals was held in the year nineteen seventy-two at Galle to mark the first year that the country was independent. Since then there have been a number of Spirited Cultural Festivals, which have been celebrated with great joy and pride by the people of Sri Lanka. Below is a brief description of the various events which have taken place and the reaction it has received from people living in Sri Lanka.
On the first day of May each year, there are a celebration of the churning ocean and the diversity of life on earth, as well as the diversity of the sea. The day is named “Krabi week” and this festival gets really busy and congested with activities happening all over the city and its surroundings. Some of the activities which are conducted during Krabi week are cooking classes taught by volunteers, fruit carving competitions, musical performances by local as well as international artists, boat races, vegetable growing exhibitions, and much more. This festival also witnesses a lot of tourists and foreign visitors who come to enjoy the celebrations on one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka, which is calling the Kandy beach.
Another very famous festival which is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy is Guru Nanan Day which is in the month of August or early September. Thousands of devotees from all over the country gather at the house of the Guru (or guru) to pay their respects and homage. All over the country, including Krabi itself, cars are lined up on the roadsides to have a look at the celebrant (the Guru) while sipping tea and sharing sweet cakes with others. All kinds of ceremonies are conducted in honor of the guru. The most important highlight of the festival is when the guru is seated on a tiger and ridden head-on by his devotees.
Apart from these, there are many other cultural festivals that are organized each year as a celebration of the unique culture of Sri Lanka. For instance, there is a Sinulog festival which is celebrated in the month of November and is dedicated to the Buddha. It includes elaborate processions and music all over the city. There is the Kudaamala celebration which takes place during the month of December and sees huge fireworks and street plays. There is also the time for celebrating and honoring the female members of the Royal Family.
Most of the events that we talk about being held in the month of February, March, and April. But there are certain festivals which are celebrated in spite of the rains, such as the Kandy Festival. The main highlight of the Kandy festival is a massive celebration that sees huge local celebrations with a number of fireworks. The main rivers that are celebrated in Kandy are the Ratchaburi and the Vagadala. During this period, the towns of Kandy and the surrounding area flood with celebrations and have a lot of fun.
It is also worth pointing out that the Sri Lankan culture is greatly influenced by its religion. Some major religions practiced in Sri Lanka include Islam (Pridra), Hinduism, and Christianity. Each of these religious festivals has a significant meaning and plays an important role in the life of the people. It is therefore important that you take part in all of them and get to know about them deep within.
