Sri Lanka is a country of colourful festivals and special events. on the go offer tour dates that coincide with three of Sri Lanka’s most vibrant and popular events.

Diwali - Festival of Lights October 28 2008 Diwali or Deepavali is celebrated with great fervour throughout Sri Lanka. This Hindu festival is observed by lighting lamps, which represents the emergence of the soul from darkness to light or “awakening. This is one of the most joyous of the Hindu celebrations and lasts for around 5 days.

Duruthu Perahera (Full Moon Poya day) in Colombo January 2008 The Duruthu Perahera festival at the Kelaniya Temple in Colombo celebrates the anniversary of the Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka more than 2500 years ago. Three processions are staged which include the handing over of a sacred casket, elephants then carry the casket and a divine insignia and a third procession features costumed actors, dancers and musicians.

Vesak Festival May 16-18 2008 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, mime and theatre are performed on the streets and free refreshments are provided by the roadside stalls.

Kandy festival August 2008 Kandy Perahera is a Buddhist festival held every August in the hill capital of Kandy – Sri Lanka. The festival, held every year in July/August honours the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha – said to have been brought to the island 2000 years ago in the hair of a princess. The relic is kept in the Temple of the tooth and a replica is displayed in a Golden Casket on top of a brightly decorated elephant at the front of the evening parade.