
Yatagala Temple
Yatagala Temple: its history, the Bo tree, meditation, and religious ceremonies.
Open sourceBuddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity — the religions and temples of Sri Lanka.

Yatagala Temple: its history, the Bo tree, meditation, and religious ceremonies.
Open source
Koneswaram Temple and its connection to the legends of King Ravana.
Open source
Ambuluwawa Tower as a symbol uniting the island's four religions.
Open source
The sacred Bodhi tree and the significance of Anuradhapura for Buddhists.
Open source
The Japanese Peace Pagoda: the story of its creation after the 2004 tsunami and the rules for visiting.
Open source
Hindu kovils, their symbolism, philosophy, and significance for the Tamil population.
Open source
The core principles of Hinduism and the features of the island's temple culture.
Open source
Visiting Hindu temples and how to behave when visiting these holy sites.
Open source
Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Catholicism, and the blending of cultures.
Open source
The story behind the name Whiskey Point and the character of the local Muslim community.
Open source
The Digavapi Buddhist shrine and the pilgrimage of believers from the north of the island.
Open source
The rules for visiting mosques in Sri Lanka and features of Galle's Muslim community.
Open source
The church that holds one of Ceylon's first Bibles and the traces of the British colonial era.
Open source
Rules for visiting Buddhist and Hindu temples: covered shoulders and knees, and entering barefoot.
Open sourceThe author shares personal impressions of Vesak: light installations, free food, dancing, and traffic jams caused by festive processions.
Open sourcePersonal impressions of Vesak celebrations: light installations, free treats at dansalas, and an atmosphere of kindness the author wants to share.
Open sourceSergi 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.
Open sourceA 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.
Open sourceIn 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.
Open sourceA 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.
Open sourceWathuruwila 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.
Open sourceA link to the schedule of Orthodox Christian services in Sri Lanka for Russian-speaking believers on the island.
Open sourceA 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.
Open sourceA 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.
Open sourceA post reminds readers that today is Sinhala New Year and everything is closed, linking to tips on what to do.
Open sourceThe 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.
Open sourceAthamasthanadhipathi 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.
Open sourcePongal 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.
Open sourceAn announcement of a post in the 'Curry Life' channel about today's full moon — its significance and related celebrations in Sri Lanka.
Open sourceThe 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.
Open sourceColombo Archbishop Cardinal Ranjith stated that promoting LGBT tourism will destroy Sri Lanka's culture and harm the youth.
Open sourceTomorrow 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.
Open sourceThe author recounts buying a 70-cent Hanuman puja ritual kit from a local shop and using AI to decode its contents and religious significance.
Open sourceThe channel announces a live stream of the climax day of the Kandy Esala Perahera Buddhist festival and invites followers to watch.
Open sourceAngampora, 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.
Open sourceThe annual Esala Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala festival opened with an inaugural procession through Kataragama's streets; over 20,000 pilgrims have arrived.
Open sourceThe dates for the Kandy Esala Perahera festival have been officially announced: festive processions will take place from July 25 to August 9, 2025.
Open sourceSri Lanka celebrates Vesak, the birthday of Gautama Buddha, with the channel sharing links to materials about the holiday.
Open sourceFor Vesak Poya from May 12 to 14, the Interior Ministry ordered the closure of slaughterhouses, meat shops, betting offices, and casinos island-wide.
Open sourcePresident 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.
Open sourceColombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has made the shortlist of papal candidates, though bookmakers give him slim odds.
Open sourceThe 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.
Open sourceMore than 300,000 pilgrims gathered in Kandy at the Temple of the Tooth Relic — police ask visitors to avoid the city until April 25.
Open sourceA festive greeting for the Sinhala-Tamil New Year written in the Sinhala language.
Open sourceA translated astrological schedule for the Sinhala-Tamil New Year: end of old year, auspicious transition period, start of new year, and ritual times.
Open sourceThe editorial team explains the Buddhist practice of Dana during Vesak — giving free food — and invites islanders to take part.
Open sourceMaha Shivaratri is a major Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, celebrated with prayers, fasting, and meditation as a symbol of triumph over darkness and ignorance.
Open sourceOn 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.
Open sourceDiwali is a five-day Hindu festival of lights symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, celebrated with oil lamps, fireworks, and sweets.
Open sourceTwo new altars to Ganesha and Murugan have been completed in the temple under construction; finishing and painting work remains.
Open sourceOn the night of August 19–20 a rare supermoon and blue moon coincide with the Buddhist holiday Nikini Poya.
Open sourceA report from the Perahera festival where a shaman summons the chief demon Mahasona in a traditional Sri Lankan religious ritual.
Open sourceThe Island channel begins a series of reports about Arun and Mahamaya's journey through the Himalayas, Varanasi, and Rajasthan.
Open sourceA six-day Buddhist Esala festival with a market and street celebrations begins in Unawatuna; the tourist street is closed to traffic until July 26.
Open sourceA recording of the broadcast with Arun about restoring the Trincomalee temple, Aghori practice, and his disillusionment with Orthodox Christianity is now published.
Open sourceAnnouncement of a live stream with Arun on July 18, 2024, about the Hindu temple revival project in Trincomalee.
Open sourceThe Galle Maritime Museum displays a copy of a conceptual world map from the Buddhist park Ramasuyana, dating to the 7th–8th century CE.
Open sourceArun, a former Orthodox archbishop who converted to Aghori Hinduism, has launched a project to restore an ancient temple in Trincomalee.
Open sourcePhotos of tourists in disrespectful poses near Buddha statues sparked outrage, with a reminder of past deportation cases for similar behavior.
Open sourcePoson Poya commemorates the bringing of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC by Ashoka's son Mahinda; traditions include white clothing, pilgrimage to Mihintale and illuminations.
Open sourceVideo of Arun, Mahamaya and Leo attending the fire-walking ritual at the Batticaloa temple went viral in the Tamil-language internet segment.
Open sourceArun's live broadcast begins from the Batticaloa temple during the fire-walking ritual.
Open sourceArun is in Batticaloa at a temple packed with people, where the ancient fire-walking ritual honoring the goddess Kali is about to begin.
Open sourceArun agreed to live stream from a temple in Batticaloa, where it may be possible to broadcast the ancient fire-walking ceremony live.
Open sourceRecording of the broadcast with Arun — a former Orthodox archbishop who became an aghora guru and lives with his family in Trincomalee.
Open sourceThe Ostrov channel is hosting a live stream with Arun Giri — a former Orthodox priest who embraced Aghora Hinduism and lives in Trincomalee.
Open sourceArtyom Kardash and Anton Sakhno publish 11 episodes of their Tamil Nadu trip on YouTube, created while developing an immersive quest based on the Ramayana and Sri Lanka.
Open sourceThe editorial team explains the Buddhist festival of Vesak — the Buddha's birthday — its history, traditions of offerings and ceremonial observances at temples.
Open sourceAuthor Artyom shares a story in his stories about visiting the Hantana Lingam ashram.
Open sourceFather Dionisy is coming to Sri Lanka on a church assignment from April 19 to 29, visiting Malsripura, Kurunegala, Colombo and Galle.
Open sourceThe post explains what the flags seen everywhere in Sri Lanka signify — they are connected to cricket.
Open sourceA detailed account of climbing Sri Pada: best timing, route, 5,555 steps, overnight stay at the summit, and tips for avoiding crowds on full moon days.
Open sourceArun and Mahamaya describe the Bhadara Kali Temple in Trincomalee — a Hindu shrine with astonishing bas-reliefs created by a master in 1981, dubbed the 'Sistine Chapel of the Island'.
Open sourceThe weekly astrological forecast opens with a description of Diwali — the metaphysical victory of light over darkness — and its symbolism for relationships.
Open sourceOverview of the Buddhist Poya holiday: origins of the tradition, introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, and founding of the first female monastic order.
Open sourceOn September 28, Colombo's Lotus Tower will be illuminated in green and white to mark the Prophet Muhammad's birthday.
Open sourceAugust 30 is the Buddhist Nikini Full Moon Poya Day marking the end of Esala Perahera, with alcohol and meat sales prohibited and government offices closed.
Open sourceDuring the Kandy Esala Perahera parade several elephants became uncontrollable and caused panic among spectators, with one person injured.
Open sourceThe Esala Perahera Buddhist festival has begun in Kandy at the Temple of the Tooth Relic, running until 31 August and ending with a ceremony on the Mahaweli River.
Open sourceA personal account of attending the Buddhist Esala Perahera festival in Unawatuna — procession with elephants, monks, dancers, and local treats.
Open sourceOn 1 August the Island celebrates Esala Poya — the Buddhist full moon — marked by a grand festival in Kandy.
Open sourceMorning digest: eve of Esala Poya — a Buddhist full-moon holiday — advice to stock up before shops close tomorrow.
Open sourceMorning digest mentions the Buddhist holiday of Buddha's first sermon, celebrated by Bhutanese pilgrims at sacred sites, plus a banana ice cream recipe.
Open sourceExcerpt from the 1875 Letters from Ceylon: history of the Mahiyangana Buddhist stupa on the Mahaweli River, venerated since the 5th century BC.
Open sourceThird round of the Island of Wonders quiz: a seven-letter name of a Sri Lankan landmark that served as the refuge of demon-king Ravana from the Ramayana.
Open sourceOn Monday July 3 the island observes Esala Poya — most shops, banks, wine stores and government offices are closed.
Open sourceChannel quiz: participants guess the name of the Sri Lankan mountain that Hanuman carried from the Himalayas to save Lakshmana in the Ramayana epic.
Open sourceChannel quiz: participants guess the name of the famous ancient Indian epic linked to Sri Lanka for a prize of 0.1 gems.
Open sourceFrom June 27 to July 1 the island observes Eid al-Adha — schools and banks close; the post explains the history and traditions of the sacrifice holiday.
Open sourceExcerpt from 'Lion Island' (1875): clarification that Perahera is not a Buddhist festival — monks do not participate, and its roots lie in folk traditions dating to King Kirti's era.
Open sourceExcerpt from 'Lion Island' (1875): the final night of Perahera on August 28 — procession all night long, street noise, sweet sellers, and a crush of the crowd.
Open sourceExcerpt from 'Lion Island' (1875): visiting the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy before the procession — women pray, festival attributes are being prepared.
Open sourceExcerpt from 'Lion Island' (1875): the annual Perahera festival in Ceylon's cities — a nocturnal procession that even Europeanised Sinhalese found hard to explain.
Open sourceA post about the sacred Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura — a descendant of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment 2500 years ago, its leaves and role in Buddhist rituals.
Open sourceMorning digest June 3: Poson Poya — Sri Lanka's second most important Buddhist festival, thousands of devotees climb Mihintale, most local shops and cafes are closed.
Open sourceMorning digest June 1: weather, International Children's Day, and a preview of the Buddhist Poson Poya festival on June 3 with the tradition of feeding everyone who comes.
Open sourceThe fourth mythology lesson: Mount Rumassala near Galle, its connection to the Ramayana epic, and the unique nature that attracts visitors.
Open sourceThe third mythology lesson: Buddha, Vishnu, Kataragama Deva, Patini Deva, and other key deities of the island's Buddhist-Hindu pantheon.
Open sourceAn analysis of the Buddhist historical epic Mahavamsa: Prince Vijaya's lion descent, the Buddha's three visits to the island, and the sacred Bodhi tree.
Open sourceThe morning edition describes the Kandyan dance — a traditional ritual performance to drums intended to attract harvest and ward off evil spirits.
Open sourceOverview of Sri Lanka's mythology: the intertwining of Hinduism and Buddhism in the story of Vishnu, Rama, Sita, and the ten-headed demon king Ravana from the Ramayana.
Open sourceThe channel explains the Buddhist Vesak festival — when it falls and how it is traditionally celebrated in Sri Lanka.
Open sourceThe Excise Department announced the closure of all liquor stores for three days — May 4, 5 and 6 — due to the Buddhist Vesak festival.
Open sourceAn overview of Sri Lanka's main holidays: Vesak (Buddha Day in May), Thai Pongal and Diwali for Hindus, Mawlid and others for Muslims.
Open sourceThe author describes a traditional family trip to the sacred city of Kataragama — a place of worship dedicated to the god Skanda, where Sri Lankans come in white robes for the blessing of fruits.
Open sourceThe Sinhala New Year continues on Unawatuna beach with free contests, stalls with traditional food, and a festive atmosphere.
Open sourceMorning bulletin on 14 April, the Sinhala-Tamil New Year: festive sounds, southern island weather, and currency rates.
Open sourceA brief cultural fact: Sri Lanka's New Year date is recalculated each year by astrologers based on when the Sun passes from Pisces into Aries directly over the island.
Open sourceMorning bulletin on the eve of the Sinhala-Tamil New Year on 13 April, listing simultaneous Asian New Year celebrations and a brief currency update.
Open sourceAn overview of Avurudu, the traditional Sri Lankan New Year in mid-April marking the start of the agricultural year, including rituals, foods, and auspicious timings calculated by astrologers.
Open sourceA reminder for tourists that alcohol is not sold in Sri Lanka on Poya Day (full moon days), and an explanation of why this period has its name.
Open sourceMorning digest: story of Bak Poya marking the Buddha's second visit to Sri Lanka, plus a fact about the island's first railway built under British colonial rule in 1864.
Open sourceThe Buddhist cave temple in Dambulla has been a pilgrimage center for 22 centuries and houses 150 Buddha statues, half of which are gilded.
Open sourceAstrologer Angelina explains the difference between the tropical (Western) and sidereal (Indian/Vedic) zodiac and their reference systems.
Open sourceThe Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura is considered the oldest human-planted tree with a documented history, its cutting brought from India in the 3rd century BC.
Open sourceThe state minister of tourism proposed allowing alcohol sales to foreigners during Buddhist full moon holidays known as Poya days.
Open sourceThe morning digest covers the energy of the full moon and the Buddhist Poya Day, celebrated in Sri Lanka since 247 BC.
Open sourceMorning post featuring a historical fact: the blue lotus was declared Sri Lanka's national flower in 1986 and is a symbol visitors encounter already at the airport.
Open sourceJaya Sri Maha Bodhi — a sacred fig grown from a cutting of the Bodhi tree and planted in 288 BC — is one of the oldest trees in the world.
Open sourceMorning edition of February 19th: after Maha Shivaratri, fairs take place near water bodies — the channel asks readers to share locations.
Open sourceMorning edition of February 18: Hindus celebrate Maha Shivaratri; staying awake this night promises prosperity, and meditation is believed to be 100 times more powerful.
Open source