Sinhala and Tamil New Year

What is the significance of the koha (koel bird) during this festive season? It’s a well known fact that this mystical bird coos only once a year, during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year (the end of the harvest season).

Like many other festivals in Sri Lanka, Avurudu is governed by customary rituals that have been in practice over thousands of years. The New Year dawns at a specific time determined by astrologists. Unlike western calendars, there is a period between the conclusion of the previous year and the beginning of the next. This period is called Nonagatha (neutral period) when the sun moves from the Meena Rashiya (House of Pisces) to the Mesha Rashiya (House of Aries) in the celestial sphere. Individuals are expected to disengage from any form of work and dedicate their time to prayer and religious observance. When this period is over the New Year finally dawns with much celebration.

Following this, the festivities start with the lighting of the hearth. A pot of milk is placed over the fire as the family gathers around to watch this ritual. If the milk boils over it is a sign of prosperity for the coming year. As with all other customs during this season, every ritual has an auspicious timing and significance – even the colour of the clothing you wear. This year the auspicious colour is bronze.

Another tradition that will take place is the ‘Hisa tel Gaama’ where the elders of the family bless the younger members by saying ‘Ekasiya vissata desiya vissak Ayuboho vewa!’  Which loosely translates to may you live a long and prosperous life. Interestingly, this is the origin of the word Ayubovan, which is a popular way of greeting one another in Sri Lanka.

Milk rice (kiri bath) is the quintessential festive meal prepared to celebrate the New Year. It is an unsweetened rice pudding that is made with coconut milk and eaten with a variety of spicy condiments. It also happens to be my favourite dish of this festive season!

The New Year does not only involve the exchange of gifts, stuffing yourself to the gills with Sri Lankan delicacies, religious observance / customary rituals and visiting long lost relatives. It is also a time of reflection. Reflecting on the previous year’s achievements and obstacles as well as gearing up the year ahead.

Happy New Year!

Top five things to do in Colombo

 

Sure, some travelers like to stick to a routine. A planned schedule is great, as it ensures that travelers can experience all that a country has to offer in a concise and timely manner. However we also believe that an increasing number of tourists wish to experience Sri Lanka on their own terms, possibly veering off the usual run-of-the-mill sightseeing. So where does one venture off to in search of a memorable adventure? We’re going to try and help visitors out by suggesting a few activities that might help kick start this journey. Let’s start with our Capital – Colombo.

1. Fort Bazaar (Pettah) – An explosion of vibrant colours and sounds and top on the list, this bazaar is a must whilst in Colombo. The open air market is the best example of Sri Lanka’s multicultural influences. Amidst the crowded streets you will find an eclectic array of fruit sellers, toy shops, small eateries, a Hindu Kovil, a Mosque and even large stores selling household appliances. All this existing in harmony on the very same street! A walk down the buzzing streets of Pettah will expose any traveler to the authentic sights and sounds of Colombo, an experience that is sure to excite you to the core! 

2. Sunset at Mount Lavinia Beach - Whilst we realise that Mount Lavinia is situated on the outskirts of Colombo, it’s definitely worth a trip (approximately 30 minutes drive). The sandy stretch of beach is dotted with tiny beach shacks serving up some quality seafood dishes, which do not bore a whole in your pocket. Sunsets at Mount Lavinia are most dazzling! On a clear evening, the skies are set ablaze with glorious hues of pink and mauve. For those looking for a bit of romance, we suggest heading over to the famous Mount Lavinia Hotel and enjoy a cold drink whilst watching the sunset on The Terrace.

3. Eat your heart out – Sri Lankan cuisine consists of flavourful, aromatic dishes. The city of Colombo is packed with a huge variety of culinary offerings, heavily influenced by invaders from the West and India. Try out traditional rice and curry, the staple diet for a majority of Sri Lankans. There’s Lamprais, a delicious rice dish served in a banana leaf influenced by the Dutch. Also don’t miss out on other traditional specialties such as String Hoppers (a stringy noodle made out of wheat flour), Hoppers (a crispy bowl shaped pancake), Roti (flat bread) and Thosai (a savory pancake) and Biriyani (an aromatic rice dish). Bon Appetit!

4. A stroll down Galle Face Green – This is a long stretch of lawn that faces the sea. It was once the location of a Dutch Fort that was built to keep watch of the Colombo Port, however it now serves as a popular place for a late evening rendezvous or a day out with the kids. The stretch of lawn is strewn with small food carts that sell snacks throughout the day, as well as many street vendors selling bits and bobs for the kids to play with. Sunsets on Galle Face Green are also very beautiful. Don’t miss out!

5. Gangaramaya Temple – There are a large number of temples in this predominantly Buddhist country. However this temple seems to stand out amongst others, as it is rather unique. Sitting on the banks of the Beira Lake in Colombo, the temple houses a library, a museum, a meditation centre and an exotic mix of  gifts from all parts of the world. Even the design of the temple is unique, drawing inspiration from Thai, Indian and Chinese architecture. Today the temple serves as a place of worship for Buddhists but also acts as a vocational centre and an orphanage. Gangaramaya is the focus of the Navam Perahera, a colourful procession that occurs annually on the full moon (Poya) day of February. 

International Women's Day

This year Walkers Tours decided to celebrate International Women’s Day with the girls at Emerge Lanka Foundation.

‘Emerge Lanka Foundation is a charitable organization that supports Sri Lankan girls, ages 10-18, who have been removed from their homes due to past abuse or the threat of abuse and are courageously testifying in court. These girls are placed into shelters that typically lack resources and educational opportunities; Emerge partners with these shelters to transform them into entrepreneurship hubs, where girls develop the business and life skills needed for self-sufficiency. Emerge equips these girls with skills and resources for their futures, using a comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes leadership, life skills, and business knowledge, while simultaneously generating a financial foundation for each program participant through the creation of unique jewelry.’

In line with the official theme for International Women’s day declared by the UN for the year 2013 - ‘Promise is a promise - Time for Action to End Violence Against Women’, Walkers Tours visited this safe haven and provided all these victimised girls with an individualised comfort pack, to celebrate their femininity.

In addition to this, all of our lovely ladies were surprised with a red rose to take home, just to remind them that they are special and appreciated!

 

If you are interested in helping out Emerge Lanka please visit their website for more information;

http://emergeglobal.org/emerge-lanka-foundation-receives-its-first-grant/

The Navam Perahera 2013

This spectacular pageant takes place annually in Colombo at the Gangarama Temple. Overlooking the picturesque Beira Lake, the parade includes a procession of hundreds of monks, followed by the Scared Tooth of the Lord Buddha. Carried on the back of an elaborately adorned elephant, the tooth relic is the main attraction of this parade. Flocks of devout Buddhists and spectators alike take to the streets of Colombo to witness this extravagant spiritual parade. Colourful traditional dancers display various genres of dance prevalent in different areas of the island. The streets are set ablaze with fire dancers and the reverberating throb of  drums fills the air with an energetic cacophony of sound. This year the two day parade takes place on the 24^th and 25^th of February and is bound to be a feast for the senses.

Mattu Pongal celebrations at Tamarind Gardens

The Mattu Pongal celebration took place the day after the Pongal festival which was celebrated across Sri Lanka on 14^th January. Whilst the Pongal festival is a celebration of the first harvest, Mattu Pongal is the festival dedicated to cattle, specifically cows and bulls that play an integral role when sowing paddy seeds.

Legend has it that the Lord Shiva sent his bull ‘Nandi’ to earth with a message to his people, telling them that they should have an oil bath every day and eat once a month. However Nandi mistook his instructions. Instead, he told the people that they should eat everyday and have an oil bath once a month. Upon hearing this news, the angered Lord Shiva banished Nandi to earth and commanded that he would have to serve all farmers in order to produce extra crops, ensuring that his people may eat daily.

We celebrated Mattu Pongal at Tamarind Gardens, our ‘Home away from Home’ with the ceremonious garlanding of our five cows. The celebration was especially touching due to the two new additions to the family ‘Rani’ and ‘Ravan’ who were born only a few days ago. The cattle were adorned with garlands of fresh flowers and painted with ornate designs while a traditional ceremony took place, which included a feast prepared specially for the cows!

Below are a few pictures of the festivities! 

To find out more about Tamarind Gardens please click the link below;
http://www.walkerstours.blogspot.com/2012/08/live-like-local-at-tamarind-gardens.html

A poem from Michael Ondaatje

Ondaatje was born in Sri Lanka and moved to Canada in 1962.  He is the author of The English Patient (for which he received the Booker Prize), In the Skin of a Lion, Coming Through Slaughter, and The Collected Works of Billy the Kid.  Currently living in Toronto, Ondaatje's poems explore Sri Lanka's history, mythology, landscape, and personal memories, which weave a rich tapestry of imagery that will have you coming back for more. Below is a poem from his book 'Handwriting'.


To Anuradhapura

In the dry lands

every few miles, moving north,
another roadside Ganesh

Straw figures
on bamboo scaffolds
to advertise a family
of stilt-walkers

Men twenty feet high
walking over fields
crossing the thin road
with their minimal arms
and 'lying legs'

A dance of tall men
with the movement of prehistoric birds
in practice before they alight

So men become gods
in the small village
of Ilukwewa

Ganesh in pink,
                        in yellow,
in elephant darkness

His simplest shrine
a drawing of him

lime chalk
on a grey slate

All this glory
preparing us for Anuradhapura

its night faith

A city with the lap
and spell of a river

Families below trees
around the heart of a fire

tributaries
from the small villages
of the dry zone

Circling the dagoba
in a clockwise hum and chant,
bowls of lit coal
above their heads

whispering bare feet

Our flutter and drift
in the tow of this river

Tuk-tuk wisdom

When traveling on the roads of Sri Lanka, it’s pretty hard to miss the swarms of tuk-tuks (3 wheel taxis) swerving through the streets. Whilst most might find their antics on the road quite alarming, they’re often used as a medium of spreading wisdom (or entertainment) to the masses. Every tuk-tuk driver realises that his tuk-tuk is his source of income. As such, they resort to using various methods of ensuring their tuk stands out from the rest. A tuk-tuk is a blank canvas! Some are decorated with colourful tassels and ornaments, some hang pictures of chubby naked babies on the insides, whilst others slap on a catchy quote.

The next time you are driving through the capital city of Colombo, watch out for these tuk tuks, especially the taxis with ingenious quotes on them! Some are thought-provoking, some salacious, others calculatedly witty, but a number are quite unintentionally funny, with the message being lost in translation.



“Why can’t we love another?”



Here are a few quotes I have collected over the years;

“If you’re cute you can call me baby”

“Don’t break my heart, king of my place”

“I am not driving fast but flying slowly”

“Why attempt to shun your own shadow?”

“Nothing to change my life for you”

“If you can read this, you are losing”

“No god no peace, know god, know peace”

“The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship”

“Anytime, anybody, anyway”

“You’re the gift got for me”

“Che Guevara want you to rebel”

“Last warning my friend”

“Any job is better than no job”

Love them or hate them, tuk-tuks are undoubtedly a part of Colombo’s fabric! Our island would be rather dull without these colourful taxis whizzing around, don’t you agree?