Vesak in Sri Lanka (Vesak / Wesak Festival In Sri Lanka) 2012
Vesak is considered as both a
religious and cultural festival in Sri Lanka. It is celebrated on the day of the full moon in May.
Vesak Day is one of the biggest days of the year in the Buddhist calendar and is celebrated by Buddhists all over the world. Buddhists commemorate the important events that took place in the life of Lord Buddha on this Vesak Full Moon Poya Day. First comes the
birth of Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini in
Nepal which took place under the arbor of Sat trees where queen Mahamaya gave birth to him. The second event was
Siddharta Gautam's supreme attainment as the Buddha, the Enlightened One. The third event was
Lord Buddha's Parinibbana over 2500 years ago at Kusinagar.
Apart from
Sri Lanka, many Asian countries including
India,
Japan,
Singapore,
Taiwan,
Indonesia and
Nepal celebrate Vesak. Many religious activities are organized during this period in
Sri Lanka such as
Sil campaigns, Bodhi Poojas, Dansalas (Freely giving foods, coffee, tea from people), Vesak devotional songs (Bakthi Gee), pandols (thoran) and lanterns.
Many temples are filled with Atasil devotees and pilgrims all over
Sri Lanka to mark this great event. In temples Buddhists worship, offer flowers, light lamps and burn incense. These traditional observances, in essence, have their value in satisfying the religious and emotional needs of the people. As it is mainly a religious event, for devout Buddhists, religious observances form the main activities of the festival. They generally wear white dress and go to the temple and participate in the traditional ceremonies there. Many of them spend the whole day in the temple and reaffirm their determination to follow the teachings of Buddha. On this holy day the Dana plays an important role. Every devotee gives alms. This is a sign of sharing with joy and peace with people. During the Veask Festival week, the selling of alcohol and flesh is usually prohibited, with abattoirs also being closed.
Other than the exclusive religious aspects of the festival, the Buddhists of Sri Lanka, decorate their houses and public places and arrange for various cultural events to bring happiness to everyone on that day.
The above caption means"the commencement of Thai paves the way for new opportunities"
Thai Pongal is a harvest festival celebrated by Tamils all over the World.
The main ritual associated with this festival is to consecrate the first grain to "SOORIYAN" the infinite source of energy,in thanking the solar deity for the good harvest.Collecting some sheaths of matured paddy from the field marks the beginning of the festivity.The Tamils decorate their homes with banana and mango leaves and embellish the floor with decorative patterns drawn using rice flour.
Ripe fruits,Sugar Cane and sweet rice are also offered to the Sun God on this "Surya Mangalam" thanking him for the bountiful harvest.Feasting,exchanging gifts and visiting homes dressed in very bright and colourful dresses are the important features of this harvest festival
Maattu Pongal
On the day after Pongal, cattle are felicitated.Cattle play an important role in the traditional farmstead,be it with regards to the provision of dairy products,its use for ploughing,transport and the provision of fertilizer.
Maattu Pongal is intended to demostrate our recognition and affection to cattle and decorate them with garlands,apply Kungumam on their foreheads and feed them special food
Text by N Krishnarajah
