Buddhist Festivals

The Buddha Rashmi Pooja, the National Vesak Festival will illuminate the region once again in commemoration of the Vesak Poya that falls in May. During this period the Gangaramaya Temple together with the Presidential Secretariat will facilitate the festival, transforming a precinct earmarked as the ‘Vesak Kalapaya’ for this principal Buddhist event of the Annual Calendar, signifying the Birth, Enlightenment and Parinibbana or Passing of Lord Buddha.

Buddha Rashmi Vesak Festival 2024 at the Gangarama Temple presents a great opportunity to attract tourists and promote the country’s tourism industry.

The Mahanuwara (Kandy) Esala Perahera Procession is considered one of the most beautiful of such processions in all of Asia and is hosted by the Sri Dalanda Maligawa, the Temple of Tooth Relic. It is the most valuable cultural event of the country in which almost all the traditional performances and arts are showcased. This world-famous Buddhist Festival event is held annually in the world heritage city of Kandy.

Every year almost a million people descend on Kandy to pay homage and to view the hundreds of traditional dancers, drummers and chieftains in elaborate outfits, plus over 100 majestic elephants on parade. Its origins are traced back to 300 BC.