January

The Southern coast and the North West coast are ideal for Whale and Dolphin spotting during the season from January to April. Large pods of Dolphins can be spotted few miles offshore. Those who are lucky might also experience the sighting of a gigantic Blue Whale swimming in the deep seas. Also, during full‐moon in January, the ancient Kelaniya Buddhist temple just minutes away from the island’s capital, will hold their annual ‘perehara’ – a dazzling cultural procession with scores of elephants all dressed in their finery, traditional dancers, drummers, flag bearers,and Buddhist monks, all walk in procession in honour of Lord Buddha.

February

In  the  Kandyan  capital,  the  much  awaited  Donald  Steele  Golf  Tournament  is  held  in February  in  the  picturesque Victoria  Golf  and  Country  Resort.  More  excitement  is unveiled on the streets of Colombo in February with the Navam Perehara that takes place  on  full‐moon  day.  A  treat  for  children  and  adults  alike,  this  perehara  show cases  all the  traditional  dance  forms  including  mask  dancers,  Kandyan  and  Kavadi dancers,  drummers  and  glittering  elephants.  A  number  of  elephants  from  various parts of the country make the long journey to Colombo along with their mahouts for this event.

March

The annual hot air  balloon  festival  takes  place  in  Colombo  during  March,  up to 100 participants from around the world come here to fly hot-air balloons around Colombo.

April

April  is  a  holiday  month  in  Sri  Lanka  where  the  Sinhalese  and  Tamil  communities celebrate  the  dawning  of  the New  Year.  It’s  a  time  when  families  get  together  to conduct  traditional  rituals,  religious  ceremonies,  offer  thanks  for  a  good  rice harvest,  an  wish  peace  and  prosperity  to  all  for  the  coming  new  year.  Celebrations and  traditional rituals  are  best  seen  in  the  rural  areas.  Colombo  empties  out  during this time when most escape to the cooler hills or the sandy beaches. In anticipation of the holiday rush, Nuwara  Eliya  – the upcountry hill station, spruces itself up and various  activities  ranging  from  golf  tournaments,  motor  cross  races,  and  flower shows are all held.

May

On Vesak full‐moon  Poya  day  in  May,  Buddhists  all  over  the  world  venerate  the  life of  Lord  Buddha  –  his  birth,  enlightenment  and  passing  away.  Homes,  villages  and cities  in Sri  Lanka  are  lit  up  in  serene  splendor  with  oil  lamps,  intricate  hand  made lanterns,  and  colourful  Pandals  depicting the  life  story  of  Lord  Buddha  are  erected across  the  island.  May  is  also  the  beginning  of  the  surfing  period  in  Arugam Bay  in the  southeast.  Listed  as  one  of  ten  top  surf  spots  in  the  world,  Arugam  Bay  is  a popular  youthful  haunt  for  surfers  and  holiday  makers.  The  turquoise  seas  of  the coast off Trincomalee in the East are also perfect at this time for snorkelling as well as whale and dolphin spotting excursions.

June

During  the  full‐moon  poya  day  of  June,  Buddhists  celebrate  Poson  when  the introduction  of  Buddhism to  Sri  Lanka  by  Mahinda,  is  remembered.  Thousands  of pilgrims and devotees flock to Buddhist shrines across the country to pay homage to the  Buddha,  Dhamma  (Buddha’s  teachings)  and  the  Sangha  (the  Buddhist  monks). Mihintale  where  Buddhism originated  on  the  island  in  247  BC  is  takes  on  a  serene air  during  this  period  with  thousands  of  pilgrims  lighting  incense  and  oil  lamps  in honour of Buddha. June is also the height of the surfing period in Arugam Bay when
international surfing championships are held.

July

The  sacred  jungle  shrine  of  Kataragama  comes  alive  during  the  month  of  July  when the Esala Perehara is held for two weeks in honour of God Skandha ‐ the warrior god of Kataragama. The perehara depicts Hindu folklore, music and dance forms, as well as fire walking in sacrifice and devotion to God Kataragama.

August

During  the  month  of  August,  Kandy  dazzles  for  two  weeks  with  the  sounds  and lights of the Kandy Perehara – a magnificent procession where the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is majestically paraded on elephant back along the streets of Kandy. This ritual, which has been taking place for hundreds of years, is an experience of a lifetime. Colombo’s Bellanwila temple also holds its annual perehera which is also a colourful procession.

Another  festival  not  to  be  missed  is  the  Nallur  festival  which  takes  place  in  Jaffna‐northern  Sri  Lanka.  The  ‘Ther  Thiruvila’  (chariot  festival)  the  most  popular  of  all events  is  a  very  colourful  ceremony.  The  glamorously  dressed  God  Murugan is brought  out  and  placed  on  an  elaborately  designed  silver  throne.  The  huge  and heavy  chariot  carrying  the  statue  of  God  Murugan is paraded along the streets of Nallur. The chariot pulled by a rope of thousands of devotees, rich and poor, old and young stand shoulder to shoulder in pulling it  giving God Murugan the opportunity to  witness  the  sincerity  and  purity  of  the  devotees. The festivities here go on for about 25 days.

September

Those who are fortunate enough to visit the Minneriya National Park during the dry season  in  September  will  witness  an  intriguing  site  when  hundreds  of  elephants make  their  way  from  the  surrounding  north  central  province  jungle  areas to the Minneriya  lake  in  search  of  food  and  water.  Huge  heard  of  elephants (up to 400) converge together within a few square kilometres of the Lake – an amazing sight to see, this is famously known as ‘the gathering.

October

Annaiwilundawa,  meaning  ‘seven  wetlands  or  tanks’  in  the  local  Tamil  language, refers to a cluster of freshwater tanks within the sanctuary. This is a very important wetland  for  many  resident  and  migratory  birds.  The  best  time  to  visit Annaiwilundawa  is  during  the  months  from  October  to  April  when  numerous species  of  birds  can  be  spotted.  These  wetlands  are  also  important  nesting  sites  for water  birds  such  as  the  Asian  Open‐bills,  Painted  Storks,  all  specie  of  Egrets,  Little Indian  &  the  endangered  Great  Cormorants,  Spot‐billed  Pelican  and  Black‐headed Ibis. This wetland sanctuary is also excellent for butterfly and dragonfly watching.

November

With the beginning of the season, the North West coastal town of Kalpitiya is a must for  Whale  and  Dolphin  spotting.  Sightings  of  huge  pods  of  up  to  two  thousand Spinner Dolphins have been reported during the season. These Dolphins often swim along  side  the  boats  and  frolic  in  the  seas  ‐ a thrilling site for children and adults alike.

December

The more secluded southern coast and the North West coast are ideal for Whale and Dolphin  spotting  during  the  season  in  December  to  April.  Large  pods  of  Dolphins can  be  spotted  few  miles  offshore.  Those  who  are  lucky  might  also  experience  the sighting  of  a  gigantic  Blue  Whale  swimming  in the deep seas off Mirissa. December also  marks  the  beginning  of  the  pilgrimage  season  when  devotees  climb  the  sacred Adam’s Peak.