Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity — the religions and temples of Sri Lanka.
Arun 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.
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