Transcript SRI LANKA

SRI LANKA
Festivals
Sinhala and
Tamil New year
This is the most important
festival in Sri Lanka. All the
Sinhala people and Tamil
people in Sri Lanka are
celebrating this festival. This is
held in April. Mostly in 13th
and 14th of April, we celebrate
this. Both Sinhala and Tamil
people have different
customs. We worship Lord
Buddha, Gods and adults, go
to temples and kovils, wear
new clothes, have new year
functions, make traditional
food items, visit relations on
this day.
When the sun moves from the Meena Rashiya (House of
Pisces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries) in the
celestial sphere; Sri Lankans begin celebrating their New
Year or Aluth Avurudhu (in Sinhala) and Puththandu (in
Tamil). It marks the end of the harvest season and also
coincides with one of 2 instances when the sun is directly
above Sri Lanka.
Cultural rituals begin shortly after the beginning of the New
Year with the cleaning of the house and lighting of an oil
lamp. In some communities, women congregate to play
upon on the raban (drum) to warn others of the incipient
change in the year - from lighting the fire to making the
kiribath, (milk rice) to entering into the first business
transaction and eating the first morsels, Once these are
done, the partying really begins as families mingle in the
streets, homes are thrown open and children are let out to
play. The ubiquitous plantain is dished out alongside
celebratory feasts of kavum (small oil cake) and kokis (crisp
and light sweetmeat, originally from the Netherlands).
Cultural anthropological history of the 'Traditional New Year' which
is celebrated on month of April, goes back to an ancient period in
Sri Lankan history.people think the celebration of new year is the
change of thoughts too. Various beliefs, perhaps those associated
with fertility of the harvest, gave birth to many rituals, customs,
and ceremonies connected with the New Year. The advent of
Buddhism in the 3rd century BC led to a re-interpretation of the
existing New Year activities in the Buddhism light. The majority of
the people in the country are Buddhists, and as such, it is that the
Buddhist outlook was predominant in transforming the New Year
rites to what they are now.
Hinduism, on the other hand, existed side by side with Buddhism,
in medieval times. New Year practices interpreted in the Hinduism
way developed among the Hindus. Buddhism and Hinduism were
historically connected with each other. Their philosophies were
running along parallel dimensions, except for certain ultimate
truths concerning the self, the way to achieve emancipation and
the nature of a creative god (which Buddhism denies) and nirvana
. There was no serious contradiction in New Year rituals that are
found among the Buddhists and Hindus.
During this time Sri Lankans are, according to tradition,
encouraged to refrain from material pursuits, and engage solely in
either religious activities or traditional games.
The approach of the each auspicious time for various rituvals is
heralded by the unmistakable sign of very loud firecrackers.
Although loud firecrackers are an environmental concern, and a
safety hazard, especially for children, this remains an integral part
of the celebrations throughout Sri Lanka.
Once the important rituals are done, the partying begins as
families mingle in the streets, homes are thrown open and
children are let out to play. The ubiquitous plantain is dished out
alongside celebratory feasts of Kavum (small oil cake) and Kokis
(crisp and light sweetmeat, originally from the Netherlands).
However, the extent of outdoor activities depends largely on the
neighborhood. The suburban communities tend to have such
social gatherings than urban or city dwellers.
Aluth Aurudu is an important national holiday for both the cultures
of the Sinhalese people and the Tamil people of Sri Lanka. The
celebrations are given wide coverage and patronage from state
owned media as well as private media.
New year
function
Vesak Festival
Vesak is the main Buddhist religious festival in Sri Lanka.
During this time, people celebrate the triple anniversary of
Lord Buddha - his birth, his attaining of Enlightenment and
his passing away into Nirvana.
Colourful bamboo-framed lanterns adorn the interior of
every home and luminous displays decorate the streets of
most towns. Visit Bhauddoloka Mawatha, the main street
in Colombo, to catch this glowing spectacle in full glory.
Vesak marks the first month of the Buddhist Calendar. This
is a day spent in reflective prayer as people cease worldly
pursuits and engage themselves in religious activities.
Devoted Buddhists pray in temples from dawn until dusk.
As the sun sets, devotees partake in processions and return
to the temples in the evening to hear monks read stories
from sacred texts.
Roadside stalls distribute free refreshments to passers-by
and there are mime and street theatre performances,
staged on tall platforms near temples in cities and towns
throughout the country.
Wesak falls in May in every year and it is considered as the
largest poya in Sri lanka. It is considered as a cultural as well as
religious festival. Other than Sri Lanka, Asian countries like India,
Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia and Nepal celebrate Wekas
poya in grand way. Not only is that It now considered as an
international holiday.
Wesak poya is considered as a very significant poya and event of
Buddhist due to the lord buddha’s very special three events took
place on this same poya day. That is lord buddha’s birth,
enlightenment and prainirwana or passed away.
Prince Siddartha seen lights of this world on one of the wesak
poya days in Lumbini Sal Uyana while his mother travelling to her
parents. It is said just after his birth he walked seven steps and
once he touches the land there were seven lotus appears to
comfort his foot.
When the Prince Siddartha reaches thirty five he found the truth
of the world and got his enlightenment under a bodi tree at
Buddha Gaya.
Also lord buddha;s passed away also taken place in Kusinanara
Town’s sal flower uyana which belongs to Mallawa King.
On wesak poya day people organize many religious activities such
as, Dansal, Sil programs, bana preachers, Also people prepare
wesak pandols and lanterns and they illuminate them in the
night. On this day many temples are filled with Sil devotees and
pilgrims all over Sri Lanka celebrate this
THANK YOU !
Grade 10 students,
TDMV
Sri Lanka