What to know before you go.
Researched by Sarisara, with sources.
Vesak is Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist festival, marking three events in the life of the Buddha that tradition holds all happened on the same full-moon day: his birth, his enlightenment, and his death. It is celebrated on the full moon of the lunar month of Vesak, usually falling in May, and the celebrations run for about a week around that date.
The whole island changes mood for the week. Streets and homes fill with colourful paper lanterns called Vesak kuudu, and towns put up large, electrically lit structures called thoranas or pandals — more than 300 go up nationwide most years — each one illustrating a Jataka story (a traditional tale from the Buddha’s past lives). Buddhist volunteers set up dansal, stalls giving out free food and drinks to anyone passing, and groups sing devotional songs called bhakti gee in the streets. During the week, the sale of alcohol and fresh meat is normally stopped and slaughterhouses close.
Colombo, Kandy and Galle are known for some of the biggest displays, with Colombo in particular drawing large crowds to see the lanterns and pandals after dark. Although it is a Buddhist festival, the week is open to everyone, and people of all backgrounds walk the streets at night to look at the lights.
May Buddhist
Centred on the full moon of the Vesak lunar month, usually in May; celebrations run for about a week around that date; the exact date changes every year
The exact dates follow the moon and are confirmed each year closer to the time.
Free to watch and take part.
Walking the streets to see Vesak decorations and visiting dansal stalls is free.
No special dress code is needed for walking the streets, though modest dress is sensible if you visit a temple during the week.
Not dressed right? Not confirmed by this research.
Dates move every year with the lunar calendar.
No single organiser — a nationwide, community and temple-led observance Official website
Island-wide, Sri Lanka
It means “may you live long”. It is how we say hello in Sinhala, and how we greet you every time you come back.
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Fire dancers light the road before the elephants of the Esala Perahera.
