One of our busiest months for holidays in Sri Lanka is January. Sri Lanka is ‘in season’ in January – calm seas and clear skies are generally the order of the day and who wants to be in the UK in January?
January is a memorable time for Sri Lankan Hindus, as the colorful Pongal festival is celebrated mid-month. Spanning two days and nearly every Sri Lankan location, the Thai Pongal festival (also known as the Harvest Festival) pays honor to the Hindu Sun God. The first day is celebrated with the traditional Pongal meal, featuring a sweetened rice dish that is first offered to the Sun God. It is customary for the meal to be shared between Hindus and non-Hindus alike, so tourists may find themselves experiencing some genuine Hindu hospitality. The second day of the festival honors the oxen and is known as Mattu (“Cattle”) Ponga. Decorative wreaths are placed around the necks of the oxen and the animals are groomed and washed. Koloms, festive decorations, are also drawn in the yards and floors of houses with flour paste. The Harvest Festival is a celebration of kindness and hope, and as such should offer enjoyment to any Sri Lankan tourist.
