Tag Archives: Sri Lanka

Sinhala and Tamil New Year, a joyous festival

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The much anticipated Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of the most vibrant festivals celebrated in the island nation of Sri Lanka. As its name suggests the festival is observed by both of the two largest communities in Sri Lanka. Falling on the 14th of April this festival is closely linked to the local astrological traditions which regulate the event.

Overall the new year celebrations can be seen to be a complex blend of Buddhist, Hindu, astrological and other indigenous traditions. Many of the new year customs, rituals and festivities are thought to have originated as celebrations marking the completion of the harvest. After the arrival of Buddhism the existing customs were modified in the light of the new religion.

Many interesting festivities are associated with the occasion. Unlike Western new year celebrations, in the Sri Lankan tradition there is a neutral period of a number of hours between the end of the previous year and the commencement of the anticipated new year. In this neutral ‘nonagathe’ interval Sri Lankans are advised to refrain from serious work or study and instead to engage in religious customs or amuse themselves with traditional pastimes.

The main cultural customs begin soon after the commencement of the new year. The home is cleaned and a customary oil lamp is lighted. In rural communities women often get together to play upon the raban (a kind of drum) to welcome the new year. The other customs are carried out according to precise astrological computations. At exactly the correct auspicious moments the hearth is lit, the festive milk rice is prepared, token transactions are carried out and the festive food is enjoyed. In addition to the milk rice other festive foods include the hath maluwa (curry with seven ingredients), oil cake, other festive sweetmeats and bananas.

At the various auspicious timings you will hear the sound of firecrackers. After the customs are completed, people mingle in homes and the streets and there is a joyous spirit in the air. At this time everyday cares are forgotten and everybody enjoys the festive atmosphere.

If you are visiting this magical country and are interested in Sri Lanka car rental there is no better choice than the reliable Malkey Rent A Car. This is an excellent choice for an airport taxi in Colombo Sri Lanka or other transport requirements.

Nuwara Eliya Spring Festival – When a Beautiful World Just Got Prettier, One Cannot Cease to Celebrate

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As the veils of powdery mists engulf the mighty mountain range, re-telling a love story that is as old as time, the air grows colder and the soft winds whisper the secrets so charming, to tree and turret. Flowers bloom bright and dance to spring time songs, while melodies echo of the gay singing birds. “Little England”, they called it, this little town where romance beams every step of the way, Nuwara Eliya.

In a land that sees no winter snow, the dawn of spring is rarely celebrated. However in this little town of romance, when all the colours in the world burst out in jubilant song in flower and bud everywhere and the happy chorus of the birds singing spring time songs echo thorough the air, the people of the town awake to a new kind of charm. Banners welcoming spring wave in the skies, as people prepare to celebrate the many activities that spring bring with it as they have been doing since the colonial times. Many tourists gather in the town of Nuwara Eliya, during the Spring Festival to become a part of these good times.

Racecourse of Nuwara Eliya is utilised to its fullest capacity during this period where races are run to win the many awards and cups that are being given out. Apart from the horse races, motor races also take the modern face of racing and the Nuwara Eliya Road Race, 4X4 Lake Cross on the edge of Lake Gregory and the Mahagastotte and Radella Hill Climbs are held during the period while large crowds gather and watch.

Golf, being a popular sport played in Nuwara Eliya, also becomes a part of the celebration of the spring as a golf tournament complementing the list of events in style. Carnivals and the Annual Flower show also beautify the Spring Festival of he town so wholly that one may not regret a trip to this little part of sunny Sri Lanka during this period.

Getting to the city of Nuwara Eliya is best arranged though an airport taxi in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Many reliable and trusted Sri Lanka car rental companies can be found and one could consider contacting Malkey Rent A Car, that offers transport from the airport to any part of the island, for a safe and a reliable transportation service.

Maha Shivarathri Festival – Dedicated to the Creator of the Universe

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An important festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Maha Shivarathri Festival is held on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha Phalguna or Maagh according to the Hindu calendar. Plan your Sri Lanka travel during this period when devotees celebrate Lord Shiva’s favourite day.   Jetwing Travels offers Sri Lanka tours all around the year and hence, observing this vibrant festival that falls on a moonless February day should not be a problem. There are many legends surrounding the Maha Shivarathri day. Some say that this day is special to Shiva as this is the day that marks the marriage ceremony of Shiva and Parvati while other state that this is the auspicious day when Lord Shiva performed his “Tandava” dance that led to the ‘Tandava’ that led to the creation, conservation and devastation of the universe. On this holy day, Hindu devotees visit temples to clean the Lingam and offer poojas of milk, cold water, flowers and various food items to honour the Lord Shiva.

 

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre

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Seeking event planners in Sri Lanka to help you organize your next big occasion in the island? Then a name to bear in mind is Nkar Mice, an experience outfit looking to contribute to the success of event management Sri Lanka. When it comes to event venues, there is a plethora of choices. A state-of-the-art performance centre, the Nelum pokuna or the Lotus Pond has been designed to hold large scale theatrical productions. Featuring performance venues including an open air amphitheatre and the main auditorium, it can be found nestled in the heart of the city of Colombo. Facilitating easy access for both foreign and local productions, this architectural masterpiece is in proximity to top shopping venues and several other attractions.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Corporate Travel Management Tips – For Travellers on The Go!

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While global travel has become somewhat of a necessity in today’s world, managing ones corporate travel is an ever important aspect that more and more companies are looking into. One idea worth considering is making use of event management companies who will coordinate aspects including travel and logistics. Those in search of such event management Sri Lanka has to offer can consider Nkar MICE. It is one of the leading event planners in Sri Lanka and will even assist in pre-planning and on-site conference management.

When it comes to corporate travel management tips there are several aspects one can look into. It is important that there be a set travel policy which applies to all even the senior executives. One should look to try and avoid scheduling meetings at peak travel times, while it is advisable to join an airline loyalty scheme while will earn frequent flyer miles or other benefits. If booking accommodation independently look to book ahead of time since certain hotels offer early bird discounts that will help to reduce costs too.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

Donald Steele Golf Tournament – The Best of Golf

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Sri Lanka has some of the most pristine landscapes in the whole of South Asia. This, combined with the ambience of class that the island is well known for, makes the sport of golf perfectly suited to this unique nation. Of late, the popularity of golf is slowly climbing and new golf courses are reshaping Sri Lanka’s landscapes.

At present, this island nation boasts three famous golf courses: The Royal Colombo Golf Club, the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, and the Victoria International Golf and Country Club. The Royal Colombo Golf Club is located in the commercial capital city and appeals to business tourists and many locals who fancy the sport and reside in Colombo. It is located in a rather un-spoilt region of the city that boasts the rolling greens demanded by the game. The oldest golf club in Sri Lanka, however, is situated in the breathtaking town of Nuwara Eliya. Perched high atop the hills of the scenic central province, this famous course was established in 1891.

The Victoria Golf Club located in a similar vicinity is however the newest of them all. It has an exquisite design that happens to be the creation of Donald Steele, the legendary golf course architect. Seated atop 500 acres of land, the course boasts some stunning views of the Victoria Reservoir and the Knuckles Mountain Range. With this blissful scenery as the backdrop and a golf club in your hand, relaxation comes naturally as you tee off.

Every year it is in this very golf Course that serves as the host for the prestigious Donald Steele Golf Tournament. This tournament named after the creator of this magnificent golf course is one of the most prominent golfing events in Sri Lanka. It attracts over hundreds of participants from around 15 countries, and makes quite a competitive event. The 18 holes around the course vary in intensity and the master of them all awaits the grand prize.

When visiting Sri Lanka to bask in its array of attractions there are so many details you would want to look into. When it comes to Sri Lanka car rental, choose a reputable local company such as Malkey Rent A Car. Covering all possible vehicular needs from an airport taxi in Colombo Sri Lanka to an impressive fleet of other automobiles and a range of competitive packages, this is one of the best ranked car rental companies in the city.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday. Google+

The Arena at BMICH – an excellent event venue

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The BMICH (the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall) is Colombo’s leading conference and events venue, the top choice of event planners in Sri Lanka. Its prestigious history, central location, and expansive facilities make it an ideal host for event management Sri Lanka by professional local companies in the industry such as Nkar Mice. The BMICH spans an impressive 37 acres and it enjoys the status of being one of South Asia’s most complete exhibition complexes. It boasts high-tech facilities as well as a selection of contemporary halls and rooms as well as a spacious delegates room that spans 16,000 square feet. It also employs an eco-tourist theme in the form of its “Eco Auditorium”, which presents an idyllic replica of Sri Lankan village life. The middle of the village is a spacious grassy arena known as the “kamatha” that translates to “threshing floor”, which can host a multitude of open air performances. In addition, the same area also features a training facility that functions as an outbound training range and a high adventure course.  Over the course of its tenure spanning over forty years as the city’s premier conference venue, it has played host to a multitude of international local events to the tune of musical dramas, international conferences such as SAARC and CHOGM (November 2013), beautiful pageants, global exhibitions and trade events and more.

Kandyan Dance – Embodying Sri Lankan Pride

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Colourful costumes overflowing with grandeur, energetic movements and thudding drum beats characterize this lively yet elegant dance portraying the proud and rich heritage of the Sri Lankan nation. Originating from the central hills region of the country, there are plenty of hotels Sri Lanka amongst which Hotel Hilltop is amongst the hotels Sri Lanka in which one can lodge in while exploring this ancient art. It is said that the origins of the dance lies in the Kohomba Kankariya, originally performed by Indian shamans who came to the island to cure a king who had a recurring dream. The Kandyan Dance is a venerated art form and follows a tradition of its own. In the olden days, this dance was performed by dancers who belonged to a separate caste who dedicated their entire lives to the Kandyan Dance but now, it is more widely spread and is practiced as a performance art form.

The costume of the Kandyan dancer is vibrant and elaborate and also consists of a head dress and heavy anklets that make a heavy rattling sound to the rhythm of their dance moves. This costume is referred to as the Ves costume. In the olden days, only the males were allowed to train as dancers but over the years, more and more female dancers have made their way into this glorious art form that is a way of expression on its own. The dance is performed to percussion music only and the most popular instrument used for this is the Geta Beraya while a small pair of symbols known as the thalampota is also used to keep rhythm. The scope of Kandyan Dance is rather vast and there are several types of popular dances that fall under the category of Kandyan Dance. The most popular of these are perhaps the Vannams, fashioned after the characteristics of different animals; peacock, elephant, monkey and the cock to name a few.

Jayani Senanayake is a writer who dabbles in travel and all things exotic. Under the pseudonym of Calliope Sage, she writes of the allures that must simply be discovered. Google+

Cultural Events in Sri Lanka – Colourful Multicultural Celebrations

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A land of various ethnicities, traditions and religious beliefs, Sri Lanka has a wide range of cultural events each year that showcase the island’s rich heritage. If you are planning a holiday in Sri Lanka look to witness some of the events that are taking place during the course of your stay. One of the best ways to explore the country is by signing up for sightseeing tours and Sri Lanka Holiday Travel is one option worth considering. Featuring some of the best holiday travel Sri Lanka has to offer, this well known tour operator takes you to key locations around the island.

There is some kind of cultural event taking place almost every month in Sri Lanka. January is when Hindus celebrate Thai Pongal in honour of the Hindu Sun God. Part of the celebrations includes preparing a rice dish known as ‘Pongal’. April heralds the Sinhala and Tamil New Year and is a time of family reunions and get-togethers. Ceremonies and traditions take place according to auspicious times and there are a great many festivities and games held during this month. One of the most important cultural events in May is what is known as Vesak and is a time when Buddhist devotees remember the birth and enlightenment of Lord Buddha. Apart from visiting the temple, it is customary for people to create elaborate lanterns during this time. Not to be missed is a chance to witness the Esala Perahera in July or August in the hill capital Kandy. Here one can witness a truly spectacular procession featuring many elephants and dancers.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Hambantota International Convention Centre – A Modern Marvel

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Located along Sri Lanka’s South Coast, Hambantota is being developed into a major city in the country. Apart from being home to an international airport and shipping port, the city is also where one will find the grand Hambantota International Convention Centre. Those planning to host large scale conferences at this state of the art venue can enlist the services of Nkar MICE, one of the leading event planners in Sri Lanka. Providing full service event management Sri Lanka has to offer, this well known company offers logistical management as well.

The main hall of the Hambantota International Convention Centre has a 1,500 person seating capacity making it an ideal choice for conferences. There are also 3 halls that each have a seating capacity for 250 people along with smaller halls for more intimate events. Parking is available for more than 1000 vehicles, while restaurant facilities and an open air theatre will complement the venues already on offer, making for a truly unforgettable event.