Navam Perahera – Colombo’s celebration of colours, sound and music

A celebration of Sri Lanka’s magnificent culture, a festival that commemorates major events in Buddhist history, the historic Navam Maha Perahera promenaded once again adding vibrancy and color to the streets of Colombo.

The Navam Maha Perahera is an event not to be missed while spending a vacation at holiday villas in Sri Lanka like the renowned Jetwing Thalahena Villas, as it is one of the best opportunities to witness Sri Lankan culture in all its splendor. Held on the Navam Full Moon Poya Day on which many important events related to the Sangha took place, this year the perahera paraded on the 2nd and 3rd of February.

The perahera this year as always saw the participation of over 50 brightly adorned elephants with the majestic tusker carrying the sacred casket. The sight of hundreds of traditional dancers, drummers and performers is one to behold as well as the serene walk of monks clad in saffron robes. The streets were thronged with hordes of foreign and local tourists who wanted to witness this breath-taking spectacle that portrays the rich religious and cultural tradition of Sri Lanka.