Navam Perahera in Sri Lanka – An Annual Cultural Procession like No Other

As the most colourful religious procession taking place in February, the Navam Perahara is set to take centre stage in the Sri Lankan capital once more. Often described as one of the most spectacular cultural parades in the country the procession is Colombo’s most coveted cultural festival. Taking place on the full moon Poya day for the month of February the event will involve a whopping five thousand performers including drummers, traditional dancers, torchbearers, acrobats and traditional musicians.

Easily accessible to tourists not only based in Colombo but in beach resorts or a Negombo hotel the likes of Hotel J Negombo or any other around the island, the festival is large scale event which draws thousands to the capital city. Centered around the iconic Gangaramaya Temple which hosts the event each year visitors can witness a sacred tusker elephant transport religious relics amid a parade of performers and spectators.