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Yatagala Temple
Yatagala Temple: its history, the Bo tree, meditation, and religious ceremonies.
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123 cards
Religion
Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity — the religions and temples of Sri Lanka.
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The sacred Bodhi tree
The sacred Bodhi tree and the significance of Anuradhapura for Buddhists.
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Japanese Peace Pagoda
The Japanese Peace Pagoda: the story of its creation after the 2004 tsunami and the rules for visiting.
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Hindu Temples
Hindu kovils, their symbolism, philosophy, and significance for the Tamil population.
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Hinduism in Sri Lanka
The core principles of Hinduism and the features of the island's temple culture.
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Origin of the Whiskey Point name
The story behind the name Whiskey Point and the character of the local Muslim community.
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Digavapi Buddhist shrine
The Digavapi Buddhist shrine and the pilgrimage of believers from the north of the island.
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Visiting mosques in Sri Lanka
The rules for visiting mosques in Sri Lanka and features of Galle's Muslim community.
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The church holding one of Ceylon's first Bibles
The church that holds one of Ceylon's first Bibles and the traces of the British colonial era.
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Rules for visiting Buddhist and Hindu temples
Rules for visiting Buddhist and Hindu temples: covered shoulders and knees, and entering barefoot.
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Hi everyone!
Hi everyone! Happy Poya Day!!! Tomorrow is Thursday. So let’s meet and talk on English Breakfast tomorrow at 9:00 am! See you soon!)
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🍺 Алкогольные магазины будут закрыты с сегодняшнего дня и до 30го июня.
🍺 Алкогольные магазины будут закрыты с сегодняшнего дня и до 30го июня. Департамент акцизов сообщил, что в связи с празднованием Poson Poya все алкогольные магазины Острова приостановят работу до 30 июня. В отдельных регионах, в том числе в Северной провинции, алкоголь не будет продаваться до 2 июля. Источник
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Vesak Poya: Lights, Traffic Jams and Festive Atmosphere
The author shares personal impressions of Vesak: light installations, free food, dancing, and traffic jams caused by festive processions.
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Vesak: Thousands of Lanterns and Dansalas Across the Country
Personal impressions of Vesak celebrations: light installations, free treats at dansalas, and an atmosphere of kindness the author wants to share.
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Sergi Explains Dansala and Vesak in a Short Video
Sergi explained what a dansala is and what people do during Vesak, promising the next video will show how to get a blister from handing out ice cream.
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Vesak in Sri Lanka: Three Events of the Buddha and the Dansala Tradition
A detailed account of Vesak, the main Buddhist holiday marking the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha, describing rituals and the tradition of free food at dansalas.
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The 'Monk Zone' in Local Buses: Island Fact
In Sri Lanka, the front rows of local buses are a 'monk zone': locals will give up their seat without hesitation even for a seven-year-old boy in an orange robe.
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Vesak Poya: Buddhist Easter Begins Today
A personal account of the start of Vesak, the main Buddhist holiday combining the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha, and an unexpected invitation to a charitable food distribution by neighbours.
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Hidden Forest Buddhist Monastery near Elpitiya
Wathuruwila Aranya Senasanaya is a little-known forest monastery from 1953 near Galle where monks live in secluded huts, greeted by a statue of the white elephant from the Buddha's mother's dream.
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Orthodox church services schedule in Sri Lanka
A link to the schedule of Orthodox Christian services in Sri Lanka for Russian-speaking believers on the island.
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Buddhist monks to march for peace across Sri Lanka
A group of Buddhist monks will arrive in Sri Lanka April 21–29, 2026, and walk from Dambulla to Colombo carrying a message of peace and compassion.
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Traditions of the Sinhala New Year Aurudu
A description of the Sinhala New Year Aurudu ritual: the exact time, red clothing, boiling coconut milk in a new clay pot, and the meaning of milk boiling over.
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Sinhala New Year: everything closed, what to do
A post reminds readers that today is Sinhala New Year and everything is closed, linking to tips on what to do.
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Navam Maha Perahera Buddhist Procession in Central Colombo
The author filmed the Navam Maha Perahera Buddhist procession near their Colombo home: decorated elephants, monks, dancers and drums around the Gangaramaya temple and Beira Lake.
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Sri Lanka's Spiritual Leader Meets the Dalai Lama
Athamasthanadhipathi Thero met the 14th Dalai Lama for the first time in history, gifting him a sacred sapling of Sri Maha Bodhi — a symbol of unity between Pali and Sanskrit Buddhist traditions.
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Tamils Around the World Celebrate the Harvest Festival of Pongal
Pongal is a Tamil harvest festival honouring the Sun God Surya, celebrated by all Tamils regardless of religion in mid-January at the start of the month of Thai.
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Full Moon: What and Why Is Celebrated on the Island
An announcement of a post in the 'Curry Life' channel about today's full moon — its significance and related celebrations in Sri Lanka.
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Sakwala Chakraya — a Mysterious Artifact of Ancient Sri Lanka
The mysterious Sakwala Chakraya artifact, also known as the Star Gate of Sri Lanka, is carved into a granite rock in the island's oldest city.
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Cardinal Ranjith Spoke Out Against LGBT Tourism on the Island
Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Ranjith stated that promoting LGBT tourism will destroy Sri Lanka's culture and harm the youth.
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Tomorrow Is Poya Day: Binara Poya Celebrates the Order of Buddhist Nuns
Tomorrow Sri Lanka celebrates Binara Poya — a Buddhist holiday commemorating the founding of the Bhikkhuni Sangha order of nuns about 2,500 years ago; government offices are closed and alcohol sales are banned.
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A Hanuman Puja Kit — a Riddle from a Sri Lankan Shop
The author recounts buying a 70-cent Hanuman puja ritual kit from a local shop and using AI to decode its contents and religious significance.
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Live Stream of the Kandy Esala Perahera Climax
The channel announces a live stream of the climax day of the Kandy Esala Perahera Buddhist festival and invites followers to watch.
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Angampora — Sri Lanka's Martial Art and Meditation Practice
Angampora, an ancient martial art originating from the Yaksha tribes, was suppressed by colonizers but is now experiencing a revival as both a combat discipline and meditative practice.
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Kataragama Esala Festival Begins in Kataragama
The annual Esala Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala festival opened with an inaugural procession through Kataragama's streets; over 20,000 pilgrims have arrived.
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Kandy Esala Perahera Festival Scheduled July 25 to August 9
The dates for the Kandy Esala Perahera festival have been officially announced: festive processions will take place from July 25 to August 9, 2025.
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Vesak — Gautama Buddha's Birthday in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka celebrates Vesak, the birthday of Gautama Buddha, with the channel sharing links to materials about the holiday.
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Three-day ban on meat and gambling for Vesak
For Vesak Poya from May 12 to 14, the Interior Ministry ordered the closure of slaughterhouses, meat shops, betting offices, and casinos island-wide.
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President personally inspects Kandy pilgrimage situation
President Anura Kumara arrived in Kandy after police appeals to stay away — the queue grew to 400,000 and two officers on duty died of heart attacks.
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Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith in contention for the papacy
Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has made the shortlist of papal candidates, though bookmakers give him slim odds.
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Chaos in Kandy: 400,000 pilgrims, deaths and mountains of trash
The queue at the Temple of the Tooth grew to 400,000 people; one pilgrim died of a heart attack, and the historic centre of Kandy is overwhelmed with garbage.
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Pilgrimage in Kandy: 300,000 people at Temple of the Tooth
More than 300,000 pilgrims gathered in Kandy at the Temple of the Tooth Relic — police ask visitors to avoid the city until April 25.
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Happy Sinhala-Tamil New Year greeting
A festive greeting for the Sinhala-Tamil New Year written in the Sinhala language.
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Schedule for Sinhala-Tamil New Year celebrations 2025
A translated astrological schedule for the Sinhala-Tamil New Year: end of old year, auspicious transition period, start of new year, and ritual times.
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Vesak and the practice of Dana: a call to participate
The editorial team explains the Buddhist practice of Dana during Vesak — giving free food — and invites islanders to take part.
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Maha Shivaratri: the festival of Shiva and Parvati
Maha Shivaratri is a major Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, celebrated with prayers, fasting, and meditation as a symbol of triumph over darkness and ignorance.
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Peace prayer at the Buddhist temple in Unawatuna
On February 24, a special one-hour peace prayer will be held at the Japanese Buddhist Peace Pagoda in Unawatuna, marking three years since the war in Ukraine began.
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Diwali in Sri Lanka: Festival of Light and Good
Diwali is a five-day Hindu festival of lights symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, celebrated with oil lamps, fireworks, and sweets.
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Temple Construction: New Altars for Ganesha and Murugan
Two new altars to Ganesha and Murugan have been completed in the temple under construction; finishing and painting work remains.
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Supermoon and Nikini Poya Festival in Sri Lanka
On the night of August 19–20 a rare supermoon and blue moon coincide with the Buddhist holiday Nikini Poya.
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Perahera: Shaman Summons Demon Mahasona
A report from the Perahera festival where a shaman summons the chief demon Mahasona in a traditional Sri Lankan religious ritual.
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Arun and Mahamaya's journey to India's sacred sites
The Island channel begins a series of reports about Arun and Mahamaya's journey through the Himalayas, Varanasi, and Rajasthan.
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Esala Maha Mangalya festival in Unawatuna
A six-day Buddhist Esala festival with a market and street celebrations begins in Unawatuna; the tourist street is closed to traffic until July 26.
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Recording of the broadcast with Arun about the Hindu temple and Aghori
A recording of the broadcast with Arun about restoring the Trincomalee temple, Aghori practice, and his disillusionment with Orthodox Christianity is now published.
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Live stream with Arun about temple restoration in Trincomalee
Announcement of a live stream with Arun on July 18, 2024, about the Hindu temple revival project in Trincomalee.
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7th-century cosmic mandala at Galle Maritime Museum
The Galle Maritime Museum displays a copy of a conceptual world map from the Buddhist park Ramasuyana, dating to the 7th–8th century CE.
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Former archbishop restores Hindu temple in Trincomalee
Arun, a former Orthodox archbishop who converted to Aghori Hinduism, has launched a project to restore an ancient temple in Trincomalee.
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