Hindu Vel Festival in Colombo

  -   Location: Colombo
  -   When: Aug 2007
  -   Category: Annual Event
  -   For more Information, visit website: Humanity Ashore Website
http://humanityashore.blogspot.com/

You must have a brush with the Festival and events in Colombo in Sri Lanka during your tour to the city. You would definitely get an insight into the cultural domain of the country including its religious and social heritage. A number of religious Festivals are held here but you would get the right perspective into the religious fervor of the nation. We would still suggest you to witness the Hindu Vel Festival in Colombo, one of the most important festivals in the city.

Features of Hindu Vel Festival in Colombo

  -   Hindu Vel Festival in Colombo is organized to celebrate the triumph of Lord Murukan by defeating the evil powers.
  -   A well-decorated silver plated chariot carrying a statue of Lord Murukan is drawn by a pair of bulls from the Pettah Kathiresan temple to the shrine at Bambalapitiya.
  -   The chariot of Hindu Vel Festival in Colombo is followed by a musical group playing drums and bells and divine songs.
  -   Hindu Vel Festival in Colombo is initiated at the temple by the pious followers who crack coconuts to ensure that their wishes are realized.
  -   Joss sticks are lighted and camphor is burnt by the followers leading to a mystic sight that equally enchants the devotees as well the spectators.
  -   In the neighborhood of the temple, you will also find vendors flocking for the sale of various paraphernalia like food, clothes, camphor, beads, toys, earthenware and sweetmeats.
  -   Hindu Vel Festival in Colombo reaches its end when the chariot return on the third or fourth day of the festival from the temple and the occasion is marked by bursting of fireworks and passionate shouts by the natives who come from the remotest corners of the area to witness the auspicious ceremony.