| Today, about 70 percent of the Sri Lankan population | | | | dedicated to Buddha himself. Revellers will see in the |
| practises Buddhism. According to Sri Lankan tradition, | | | | Buddhist New Year with a feast of mouth-watering |
| the faith was introduced in the 2nd Century, during the | | | | meals, prepared and served in the traditional way, |
| reign of King Devanampiyatissa and although it has | | | | followed by a fantastic fireworks display out in the |
| seen periods of decline in times of colonialism, it | | | | street. The Buddhist New Year not only marks the |
| remains the most prominent faith to this day. Buddhism | | | | beginning of a new harvest season, but is a time when |
| in Sri Lanka is primarily of the Theravada School - the | | | | people can celebrate with their nearest and dearest. |
| "teaching of the elders" - which is not only the oldest | | | | For holiday makers, it is a chance to see Sri Lanka at |
| surviving school, but the one that is most faithful to | | | | its most spectacular. |
| early Buddhism. On Sri Lanka holidays, you will see not | | | | Polonnaruwa |
| only see the vestiges of Buddhism scattered around | | | | Following the fall of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa rose |
| the country in the form of relics, ruins and statues, but | | | | in importance to become the second capital of Sri |
| you may have the opportunity to interact with the | | | | Lanka. Now a UNESCO world heritage site, it is |
| monks at one of the many Buddhist celebrations. | | | | arguably the second most impressive Buddhist area in |
| Anuradhapura | | | | Sri Lanka. Holidays should always include a stop here, |
| The city of Anuradhapura, once the capital of Sri | | | | so that visitors can take in the various sculptures, |
| Lanka, contains some of the most sacred Buddhist | | | | dagabas, monastic buildings and shrines. The most |
| sites in the country and is the first stop for anyone | | | | impressive sculptures in Polonnaruwa, Gal Vihara, |
| taking Sri Lanka holidays and interested in the Buddhist | | | | feature the Buddha in 4 different positions. The first |
| culture. It is said that Anuradhapura is home to the Sri | | | | granite statue depicts a seated, meditating Buddha, the |
| Maha Bodhi tree, a sapling from the original Bo tree. | | | | second a smaller seated Buddha and the third a |
| This was the tree under which the Buddha himself | | | | reclining Buddha. However, the fourth is the most |
| received "enlightenment", and pilgrims from all over the | | | | impressive by far. Measuring 23 feet, the final statue |
| world are drawn to visit this sacred site. The | | | | depicts the final moments before Buddha achieved |
| Atamasthana (8 places of worship) in Anuradhapura | | | | enlightenment and left his earthly life behind. Holding a |
| are the main Buddhist attractions, and include monastic | | | | cross-armed pose that is rare in statues of Buddha, |
| ruins, dagabas and stupas, but by far the most | | | | this statue makes for a fantastic photo opportunity |
| impressive is the Samadhi Statue. Presiding over the | | | | and highlights the importance of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. |
| Mahamevuna Park, this granite statue of the Buddha in | | | | The Festival of the Tooth |
| dhyana posture stands 8 feet tall and leaves visitors | | | | The festival of the tooth or Esala Perahera, is held in |
| experiencing a mixture of peace and wonderment. | | | | August when the moon is full. According to Sri Lankan |
| Buddhist New Year | | | | legend, following Buddha's cremation, a tooth was |
| Buddhist New Year is celebrated on various days of | | | | found and brought to Sri Lanka where it is housed in a |
| the year across the world. The festival is held for | | | | grand temple. There are several caskets surrounding |
| three days after the first full moon in April in | | | | the tooth so it cannot be seen, but once a year a |
| Theravadin countries such as Sri Lanka. Holidays timed | | | | procession is held in celebration of this relic. The |
| to incorporate this celebration, will see the country at its | | | | festival includes fantastic costumes, cultural dances, |
| most joyful. Homage is paid to statues of Buddha by | | | | fire-dances and highly ornamented elephants, and is a |
| the lighting of many candles in temples across the | | | | celebration not to be missed. If your Sri Lanka holidays |
| country and visitors will witness monks joining together | | | | coincide with this highly celebrated occasion, you will |
| in impressive displays of prayers and traditional songs | | | | experience a festival like no other. |