This year, Vesak isn't all that it usually cracks up to be, because of the inclement weather and disastrous results we've been experiencing thanks to it. To help out the flood victims, visit this page.
Meanwhile, Vesak is still, well, happening. The lights, the lanterns, the pandols and all that. Thanks to our content sponsor Anim8, we've brought you a map and a list of all the places to see the lights. If you want to create or print cool stuff year-round, Anim8 is the place to go. But on to the Vesak spots, here they are:
Gangaramaya
The Beira Lake is always decked up, each year, every year. It's a pretty wonderful sight, especially with the island in the middle of the lake lit up, and with intricately shaped and made floating lanterns dotting the otherwise green and murky lake.
Called the Buddharashmi Jaathika Vesak Mangalya, the Prime Minister's office is lending a hand to make this a success.
When: 21- 25 May
Photo Credit: Nazly Ahmed
Bauddhaloka Mawatha
This beautiful stretch of road — one of the most scenic in Colombo thanks to the lane full of large trees providing shade over the area — will be lit with its usual chains of white lanterns. This project's courtesy of ITN and the Presidential Office, and will feature a truck full of Vesak carollers.
When: 20 – 24 May
Sirasa Vesak Kalaapaya
Adjoining the Sirasa Head Office at Baybrooke Place, the Sirasa Vesak Zone is sponsored jointly by the Capital Maharaja Organization and John Keells. Watch out for some Buddhist relics which will be exhibited during the event.
When: 1 – 23 May
Gampaha
Keep an out for Neth FM's Nethraloka festivities.
When: 21 – 25 May
Pandol-watching
The thorana around Dematagoda and Kosgashandiya will continue as it always has, and is sure to draw in hundreds of people. We're not really sure about the pandol that's at Thotalanga because of the Kelani River overflowing, and haven't been able to get a confirmation on that as yet. We'll update this space as soon as we do.
You can be sure that the pandols at Mahargama and Kottawa will be crowd-pullers and be constructed on a grand scale as well, just like the one at the Peliyagoda junction.
Wrap yourself up in raincoats coz umbrellas are just going to be cumbersome when mingling in huge crowds. Keep an eye on road.lk and Google Live Traffic for traffic updates. Stay safe, enjoy the Dansals, and please remember those displaced by the rainstorms and lend a hand to them as well. 🙂
