Festivals
6 festivals to explore across Sri Lanka
Results for “Pilgrimage”
Deepavali
- When
- October/November
- Where
- Tamil Hindu communities island-wide
- Days
- 1 day
The Hindu festival of lights, observed by Sri Lankan Tamil communities with temple visits, oil lamps, sweets, and family gatherings.
Kandy Esala Perahera
- When
- July/August
- Where
- Kandy
- Days
- 11 days
Sri Lanka's most famous procession festival, honoring the Sacred Tooth Relic with drummers, dancers, tuskers, and torch-lit night parades.
Kataragama Esala Festival
- When
- July/August
- Where
- Kataragama
- Days
- 14 days
A major multi-religious pilgrimage season centered on vows, processions, and acts of devotion at Kataragama.
Poson Poya
- When
- June
- Where
- Mihintale and Anuradhapura
- Days
- 1 day
A major Buddhist full-moon observance remembering the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, especially vivid around Mihintale and Anuradhapura.
Sinhala and Tamil New Year
- When
- April
- Where
- Island-wide
- Days
- 2 days
The country's main seasonal family festival, marking the end of the harvest with auspicious timings, games, sweets, and ritual meals.
Vesak
- When
- May
- Where
- Island-wide
- Days
- 2 days
The island-wide Buddhist full-moon observance marked by lanterns, almsgiving stalls, temple worship, and illuminated pandals.