About Sri Lanka part 2

 

National Flag

 

The lion with the sword in his hand the courage and independence of Sri Lanka.

·         Blood red color – Sinhalese peoples

·         Green color band – Muslims

·         Orange color band – Tamil peoples

·         Yellow bars – The unity of all Sri Lankans

·         Bo Leaves – Good Qualities of the Peoples of this Country

 

Buddhist Flag

              

Created in Ceylon in the 19^th Century. Today, This Buddhist flag is used by Buddhists in every Buddhist Country in the World.

Important Things Published Nationally.

 

·         The National Birds – Sri Lanka Jungle Fowl.

·         The National Flower – Blue Water Lily.

·         The National Animal – Giant Squirrel.

·         The National Tree – Ceylon Iron Wood.

·         The National Gem – Blue Sapphire

 

Festivals in Sri Lanka

 

ü  Annual Festival held in the Country

 

Today, due to the diverse ethnic groups in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka has become a Country of various Festivals and festivals that are unique to each of these communities throughout the year. This cultural diversity has become a reason for the beauty and tourist attraction of the country. Three major Muslims religious festivals are held annually. Those dates vary from year to year according to their traditional calendar.

                               

 

1.       Milad UL Nabi – Birthday of the prophet.

2.       Eid UL FITR – The last day of Ramazan.

3.       Eid UL Allah – The last day of the pilgrimage to mecca.

 

Full Moon Day

 

The Full Moon Day of each month is called POYA day by the Buddhists. POYA day is a holiday declared by the Government every month. On that day, Buddhists visit more temples than an any other day and they also attend special religious functions on that day. All Liquor outlets in the country do not sell liquor on that day as it is prohibited to sell liquor throughout the country on every POYA day. Compared to the 12-month POYA day, there are various important events in the life of the Buddha and the Following are some important POYA days related to the history of the Buddha in this country.

 

1.       January – The first visit of the Buddha to Ceylon.

2.       April – The second journey of the Buddha to Ceylon.

3.  May – The Third Visit of the Buddha to Ceylon. Buddha of the Buddha, Enlightenment.

4.       June – Bringing Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Mahinda THERO.

 

Vesak Festival

 

Vesak POYA day can be described as the most important and most sacred POYA day of the Buddhist People in this country. During the Vesak POYA day, Various Buddhist religious festivals and activities are held throughout the Week.

 

ü  Features that attract tourists during Vesak week.

 

1. Pilgrimage of Buddhists.

2. Conducting DANSALS. (The Word DANSAL means Peoples sharing free meals with each other. It enhances their Collaboration.)

3. Lighting of Vesak lanterns in front of house.

4. Decorating roads with Buddhist Flags and various decorations.  

 

Buddhist Procession

  The PERAHARA (procession) can be described as an important cultural event that attracts the eyes of all of us, regardless of local or foreign differences. The procession are attractive because of the cultural diversity that it carries in front of us along the way it is an artistic collection. Sinhala Buddhist have organized a procession to pay homage to a sacred objective and to celebrate a religiously important day. Today, as you visit the various procession festivals held annually at Buddhist temples throughout Sri Lanka. You can see their beauty. What is most important to the traveler in interpreting the procession is the traditional dance he sees in front of him.

 

 

Kandy ESALA  Procession Festival

 

 

The ESALA Procession, held annually in July and august to pay homage to the sacred tooth relic in Kandy, is one of the most important and popular cultural events in the country. This has been done since ancient times as a tribute to the tooth Relic. With the beauty of this procession, it attracts more tourists every year.