Vasek Day is the day of the full moon in May. On Vasek Day, the government orders all liquor stores and meat shops to close, strictly prohibiting the sale or purchase of alcohol or fresh meat. This is done out of respect for the Buddhist principles of non-harm (i.e., ahimsa), reminding Buddhists to not cause harm to others or oneself. With Vesak Day, there will be a wide range of celebrations throughout the country, so it is better to rent a car in Sri Lanka to explore at your own pace!

Significance of Vesak Day

As the most sacred day for all Buddhists, Vesak Day commemorates three key events in the life of the Buddha: his birth, enlightenment, and passing away. The true essence of Vesak day lies in the celebration of Buddha’s enlightenment. The true significance of Vesak lies in the celebration of Buddha’s enlightenment, where he comprehended the Four Noble Truths and gained the ability to enlighten and educate others about them.

Vesak day is a day for Buddhists to express reverence. At the crack of dawn on that day, Buddhists will congregate at temples, listening  to special teaching sessions. Some Buddhist devotees even spend the whole day at the temple, reciting Buddhist verses to show dedication to Buddhism. Workers at the temple offer them flowers, incense, and oil lamps to remind them that life is fleeting and everything will eventually decay.

In the evening, lanterns and Thoranas light up in the streets and on river banks. There are typically a large variety of lanterns, including the most typical octagon shaped Vesak Kuudu. They are hand-made from bamboo sticks and coloured papers. Apart from the lanterns, the thoranas also light up the sky. Thoranas are huge, free-standing, colourful light displays that depict Buddhist stories. Both the thoranas and lanterns are to symbolise Buddha’s teachings, dispelling darkness and ignorance.

Must-Visit Destinations on Vesak Day

Don’t wanna miss out on the celebrations for Vesak Day? Here are some must-go places to explore this vibrant festival: 

Raja Maha Vihara Temple, Kelaniya

Simply drive 11 kilometres from the city of Colombo to visit the Raja Maha Vihara Temple in Kelaniya. It is believed that Buddha himself visited this temple after attaining enlightenment and preached from a throne in this temple. On Vesak Day, there will be various religious ceremonies, including reciting the Lotus Sutra and the hoisting of the Buddhist flag.

Light Displays in Colombo

On Vesak day, the capital city of Sri Lanka will transform into a vibrant canvas of lights and bright colours. Wandering through the streets of Colombo will instantly allow you to immerse into the festive mood. There are also elaborate light decorations around Beira Lake and surrounding areas.

Thoranas in Dehiwala

In Dehiwala, a suburb of the city of Colombo, people celebrate Vesak with grandeur. At night, the stress lights up with lanterns as well as eye-catching thoranas. The thoranas are normally positioned at junctions or near the main roads, attracting passersby with their elaborate designs. Locals and tourists gather to admire tales of the life of Buddha, immersing into the spirit of enlightenment. 

Ready to explore the beauty of Vesak Day? Celebrating this spiritual festival by admiring vibrant light displays and participating in historic ceremonies. Rent a car with Rofi to join in the lively celebrations throughout Sri Lanka! Avoid the hassle of public transport and navigate through the festival with the comfortness of your own space. Secure your rental car on Rofi today!