Tailor Made Holidays in Sri Lanka: In the News

Bright elephants march into Colombo: 29-01-2008

Colombo in Sri Lanka is transformed by a parade of colourful elephants during February as the full moon approaches.

Known as the Navram Perahera, the festival began in 1979 and attracts over one million spectators who come every year to the Gangaramaya Temple at Hunupitiya on the banks of the Biera Lake.

About 1,000 performers can be expected at the event but the elephants in the parade are the most exciting of the colourful participants.

The kas karayas begin the processions by cracking their whips in the air and children follow them holding colourful flags.

Percussion bands and conch shell blowers provide much of the noise for the parade and stilt-walkers, flautists and drummers add to the exciting entertainment.

Travellers making their way to Sri Lanka will find traditional culture to be bright and exciting, as is the local cuisine.

Along with rice and curry dishes, Sri Lanka specialises in pittu - a mixture of rice meal lightly roasted and mixed with fresh grated coconut and steamed in a bamboo mould.


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