Nawam Perahera
Nawam Perahera
The Gangarama Temple, established over 120 years ago on Beira Lake in Colombo, is one of Sri Lanka’s most renowned Buddhist temples and houses an exceptional collection of Buddhist artifacts and texts. Since 1979, the temple has hosted the vibrant Nawam Perahera festival to commemorate Navam Full Moon Poya Day in February, a significant date for Buddhists.
This colorful two-day celebration showcases traditional Kandyan arts and promotes community harmony, attracting spectators from all backgrounds.
The festival’s centerpiece is a nighttime parade featuring the Sacred Relic Casket carried by an elaborately adorned tusker elephant. The procession includes mask dancers, Kandyan dancers, drummers, sword dancers, stilt walkers, hundreds of monks, Buddhist flag bearers, and traditionally decorated elephants with their mahouts, all illuminated by flaming torches. The Gangaramaya Nawam Maha Perahera is considered one of Sri Lanka’s most spectacular and colorful cultural festivals, making it a must-see event for visitors to the country.
