Sri lanka dussehra celebration: Dussehra or Vijayadashami is celebrated not only in India, but also in Sri Lanka with great enthusiasm and devotion. Usually we think that Ravana was the king of Sri Lanka, so will the celebration of Rama’s Victory Day be celebrated there? Let us tell you that here too Dussehra is celebrated with great pomp, but the method is a bit different. So let’s go that after all, there are religious rituals on this special day in Lanka, Lanka, and what is the whole atmosphere.
There is a special relationship with Ramayana
The Dussehra of Sri Lanka is directly connected to the Ramayana. It is believed that this is the land where there was a war between Lord Rama and Ravana. For this reason, the importance of Vijayadashami increases even more here. In India, where Ravana is burnt and a symbol of the victory of good over evil is shown, in Sri Lanka it is celebrated as a religious and cultural festival. There is special worship in temples here and people celebrate the festival with family.
Grut and decoration of temples
Major temples of Sri Lanka are decorated with lights and flowers during this period. Especially thousands of devotees gather in temples of cities like Colombo, Candy, Tinkomali and Jaffna. Special worship is done on the occasion of Dussehra in the famous Shiva temples of Trincomalee and Candy. Devotees wish God for happiness and prosperity by lighting a lamp and offering flowers.
Ramlila is special here
An important part of Dussehra is cultural programs in Sri Lanka. Here the stories of Ramayana are brought alive through traditional dances, music and plays. In the staging of Ramlila, the artists who play the characters of Ram, Sita, Hanuman and Ravana make the audience emotional. Like India, Ravana effigy is not burnt here, but the theatrical conversion of Ramayana themes gives people the message of the power of goodness and the victory of truth.
It is not custom to burn effigy
The specialty of Dussehra of Sri Lanka is that effigies of Ravana, symbols of evil, are not burnt here. Instead, attention is paid to religious rituals and cultural activities. People along with family and friends enjoy traditional cuisine and sweets. This is the time to strengthen relationships and spread the message of solidarity.
Not a symbol of evil, the egoistic king symbol of the egoistic king
In India, while Ravana is considered a symbol of evil, he is remembered as a scholar and powerful king in some parts of Sri Lanka. It is said that Ravana was a great knowledge of astrology and Ayurveda. However, he collapsed due to his ego and unrighteousness in the story of Ramayana. This is the reason that during Dussehra in Sri Lanka, Ravana is remembered both as reverence and learning.
Where to see Sri Lanka’s Dussehra
If you are planning to see Dussehra in Sri Lanka, then Colombo, Candy, Nuwara Alia, Tinkomali and Jaffna are the best places. The temples of Colombo have grand decorations and cultural programs. Candy’s Dussehra is famous for the spiritual atmosphere, while Tinkomali’s Konsvaram Temple has a special identity for its historical significance and worship. Nuwara Eliya attracts tourists a lot due to being connected to the Ramayana trail.
In this way, Dussehra of Sri Lanka is considered to be a confluence of religious faith, cultural tradition and social unity. This festival not only reminds of the victory of good over evil, but works to connect people with its roots and traditions.
