Navam Maha Perahera happens to be the most colorful and prestigious Buddhist cultural pageant held in Sri Lanka. Navam Maha Perahera is celebrated once a year, and one of the most important religious and cultural events in Sri Lanka.
Millions of people witness this Navam Maha Perahera event every year, including an estimated 10,000 tourists who land in Colombo during Navam Maha Perahera event.
The highlight of this festival is the colorful elephant pageant when the streets of Colombo transform under the weight of 10 decorated elephants.
The Gangaramaya Temple, located at Hunupitiya by picturesque Beira Lake is the venue of Navam Maha Perahera festival where all the action takes place. The inaugural parade is attended by over 5000 performers and school children waving colorful flags on the way.
Giving a befitting company to the procession, there is percussion bands, conch shell blowers, stilt-walkers, flutist and drummers who fill the air with sound and music.
Navam Maha Perahera is held on February 25 and 26 at the premises of Gangarama Viharaya in Colombo.
