Vesak Festival
The vesak festival takes place on the day of the full moon in May and is the most hallowed of all Buddhist festivals. This celebration is three-fold; commemorating the birth of Buddha, his attaining of enlightenment and passing on into Nirvana, the day is spent in thoughtful prayer followed by an evening procession and recitations by monks from Buddhist texts.
Meanwhile, coloured lanterns are hung in every home and incredible luminous displays decorate the streets, there are mime and theatre street performances and free refreshments are provided by the roadside stalls. The best place to watch the festivals celebrations is Bhauddoloka Mawatha, the main street in Colombo.
Additional Information
- Vesak Festival dates:
- This festival occurs annually on the May/June full moon.
Vesak Festival is available on the following trips
Private Journeys
The Inside Track
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