Sri Lanka Holidays - 2011

Thai Pongal or Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated in Sri Lanka at the end of the harvest season. It is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Tamils in the Sri Lanka. On this day, the Sri Lanka Tamil farmers honor the Sun God Suriyapakaran. This happens when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara). The festival of Pongal is celebrated by Sri Lankans over two days. The first day is devoted to the boiling of milk in a pot to which rice, jaggery and the syrup extracted from crushed sugar cane is added. This sweet rice pudding is offered first to the Sun God, and is then eaten at the climax of a family festive meal. The second day is dedicated to the oxen who assist the farmers in the rice fields. It is called Mattu (cattle) Pongal. The animals are washed and decorated with straw garlands hung around their necks and horns.

The birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammed known as Milad-Un-Nabi, is celebrated by Muslims the world over today.

Duruthu Poya, Navam Poya, Medin Poya,Bak Poya,Vesak Poya,Poson Poya,Esala Poya,Nikini Poya,Binara Poya,Vap Poya,Il Poya,Unduvap Poya. If a month has two Poya Days the name of the second one will be preceded by"Adhi" ("extra" in Sinhala) as in"Adhi Vesak","Adhi Poson", etc.

Sri Lanka Independence Day celebrated on 4th of February each year. The independence day of Sri Lanka is a great national occasion celebrated with parades and pageants combined with the spirit of patriotism and national pride. The celebrations begin with the hoisting of the national flag and singing the national anthem, followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp ceremony. Subsequently there are various cultural programs as well as serving of refreshments.

Sri Lanka's Hindu devotes celebrate the annual Maha Shivaratri festival by fasting for an entire day and holding a night long vigil at Hindu temples island wide.Sivarathri symbolizes the regeneration of the human soul by being one with the divine. The festival is celebrated during the Tamil month of Maasi which lasts from mid February to mid March.

In Sri Lanka, Sinhala is the new year of the Sinhalese people in Sri Lanka. It is a major anniversary celebrated by not only the Sinhalese people but by most Sri Lankans. The timing of the Sinhala New Year coincides with the New Year celebrations of many traditional calendars of South and Southeast Asia. The festival has close semblance to the Tamil New year. According to Sinhalese astrology, New Year begins when the sun moves from Meena Rashiya (the house of Aries) to Mesha Rashiya. It also marks the end of the harvest and spring.

Like the rest of the world, the Christian community in Sri Lanka is observing Good Friday. On this day Jesus Christ was crucified and it is observed to mark the sacrifices laid down by Him.Services to mark Good Friday will be held in Christian churches island wide.

In Sri Lanka, it is observed on May 1 and is a Government and public holiday. The government has held official May Day celebrations in major towns and cities, with the largest being in the capital, Colombo. During celebrations, it is common to witness party leaders greeting the crowds. Workers frequently carry banners with political slogans and many parties decorate their vehicles.

Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. Thousands of Sri Lankan Islamic devotees gathered at the Gall Face Green to attend Eid prayers marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. After the prayers, people also visit their relatives, friends and acquaintances and some people also pay visits to the graveyards.

Eid ul-Adha or hadji festival is the Festival of Sacrifice. It is a public and bank holiday in Sri Lanka. Muslims all over the Sri Lanka celebrate this holy day. It falls approximately 70 days after Eid ul-Fitr (end of Ramadan) and is celebrated in honor of the prophet Abraham willingness to sacrifice his son as a proof of his loyalty to God.

Deepavali Festival is mostly celebrated by the Sri Lankan Tamils. It is also termed as the Festival of Lights. This symbolizes the victory of good forces over evil forces. The lamps are symbolic of this celebration and hope for an bright and prosperous future. Fireworks are add to the glow and color and aura of the festival. As Sri Lankans Hindus (mostly Tamils), follow mainly the customs of South India, Festival of Lights is known as Deepavali Festival on the island too.

In December 25th the commemoration of the birth of Lord Jesus Christ .It's a public holiday on Christmas day Of Sri Lanka. The midnights of 24th December cathedrals, churches, and little chapels all over the country Christian attend Midnight Mass. Sri Lankan peoples find Christmas as the perfect time to sharing kind, loving compassion hearts with others. Christians invite relatives, friends to their Christmas parties and share with them cakes, wines and other Christmas foods.