Vesak ( Buddha Pornima ) in Sri Lanka

 

• Vesak is celebrated as a religious and a cultural festival in Sri Lanka on the full moon of the lunar month of Vesak (usually in the Gregorian month of May), for about one week.
• Celebrations include religious and alms-giving activities.
• Electrically lit pandols called toranas are erected in locations mainly in Colombo, Kandy, Galle and elsewhere, most sponsored by donors, religious societies and welfare groups.
• Each pandol illustrates a story from the 550 Jataka Katha or the 550 Past Life Stories of the Buddha.
• In addition, colourful lanterns called Vesak koodu are hung along streets and in front of homes. They signify the light of the Buddha, Dharma and the Sangha.
• Food stalls set up by Buddhist devotees called dansälas provide free food and drinks to passersby.
• During this week, the selling of alcohol and fresh meat is usually prohibited, with abattoirs also being closed.
• Groups of people from community organisations, businesses and government departments sing bhakti gee.
• Colombo experiences a massive influx of people from all parts of the country during this week.