To mark the beginning of Vel Festival, an ornate silver plated chariot drawn by a pair of snow-white bulls carries a statue of Lord Murukan from the Pettah Kathiresan temple to the shrine at Bambalapitiya. Held in honour of Lord Murukan, Vel is Colombo's answer to Kandy Perahera and commemorates the victory of Sri Murukan over the forces of evil.
A day or two before the water-cutting festival of Kataragama, a procession of multi-coloured umbrellas, caparisoned elephants, dancers and oriental musicians snakes through the mass of worshippers and sightseers. Drums resound, bells tinkle and the Tanjore band plays as a Bhajana party follows the chariot in a wave of divine songs.
Once at the temple, thousands of devotees pay their homage to Lord Murakan by smashing coconuts, lighting joss sticks and burning camphor. This spectacle invigorates all the senses and attracts the religious and non-believer alike.
In the temple precincts and along both sides of the Galle Road, traders sell food, clothes, brass utensils, camphor, beads, bangles, toys, earthenware, sweetmeats and pictures. Sip on sugarcane juice from one of the street stalls and immerse yourself in the festive spirit.
As the chariot makes its return trip on the evening of the third or fourth day, the climax is reached at Galle Face Green. Fireworks displays and shouts of "Haro Hara" fill the air as people from distant villages flock to see their war-god taking a drive through the city.
The exact date of Vel, Esala Peraheras and other festivals are only announced during the first quarter of the year.
Once at the temple, thousands of devotees pay their homage to Lord Murakan by smashing coconuts, lighting joss sticks and burning camphor. This spectacle invigorates all the senses and attracts the religious and non-believer alike.
In the temple precincts and along both sides of the Galle Road, traders sell food, clothes, brass utensils, camphor, beads, bangles, toys, earthenware, sweetmeats and pictures. Sip on sugarcane juice from one of the street stalls and immerse yourself in the festive spirit.
As the chariot makes its return trip on the evening of the third or fourth day, the climax is reached at Galle Face Green. Fireworks displays and shouts of "Haro Hara" fill the air as people from distant villages flock to see their war-god taking a drive through the city.
The exact date of Vel, Esala Peraheras and other festivals are only announced during the first quarter of the year.
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