Ceylon Calendar

One of the island's oldest Buddhist pageants — a torch-lit procession of elephants, dancers and drummers marking the Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka.

The Tamil harvest thanksgiving — boiling the first rice of the season, kolam art at every doorstep, and days of family feasting.

Blue and sperm whales pass close to the southern coast — among the finest whale watching on earth.

A spectacular procession around Colombo's Beira Lake — hundreds of elephants, torch-bearers, whip-crackers and Kandyan dancers.

Writers from across the world gather within the Dutch fort ramparts for one of Asia's most beloved literary festivals.

A Hindu night of devotion — temples fill with all-night prayers, chanting and celebration honouring Lord Shiva, most vivid at the great Koneswaram and Nallur temples.

The Islamic holy month brings a special atmosphere to Muslim neighbourhoods — evening food markets, shared iftar meals and a warm communal spirit after sunset.

The island's biggest celebration — traditional games, milk rice, oil-lamp rituals and auspicious timings observed in every home.

The holiest Buddhist day of the year — streets glow with paper lanterns and pandals, and free food stalls (dansal) appear on every corner.

Marking the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka — vast white-clad pilgrimages climb to Mihintale by candlelight.

As the south quietens, the east opens — Trincomalee becomes one of the best places in the world to see blue whales.

A raw, ecstatic festival of devotion — fire-walking, kavadi dances and acts of penance drawing pilgrims of every faith.

The build-up to the island's grandest festival — ten nights honouring the Sacred Tooth Relic with caparisoned elephants and fire dancers.

Hundreds of wild elephants converge on the receding Minneriya reservoir — the largest gathering of Asian elephants on earth.

Sri Lanka's most spectacular festival reaches its climax — a river of elephants, torch-bearers, whip-crackers and drummers through Kandy by night.

A vibrant, weeks-long Hindu celebration at Jaffna's Nallur Kandaswamy temple — chariots, music and devotion in the north.

The elephant gathering continues inland while world-class point breaks fire on the east coast.

Migrant birds arrive and the rainforests come alive — the start of the island's finest birding.

The Hindu festival of lights — homes and temples glow with oil lamps, and sweets are shared across communities.

Turtle hatchlings emerge on the south-west coast as migratory birds fill the wetlands.

The season of the sacred night climb begins — a river of lights winds up the mountain to reach the summit by dawn.

International test cricket comes to the island — including the iconic Galle stadium beside the fort ramparts, one of the great settings in world sport.

A festive atmosphere sweeps the coast — especially Negombo's churches and Colombo's hotels and street lights.