Joanna James
Although most tourists head to Tangalle to enjoy its stunning beaches and water sports activities, there's more to the seaside hamlet than these recreational pursuits. Here are 5 festivals that culture buffs can immerse themselves in during a trip to the beach capital.
Travellers heading to Tangalle during the months of July or August will get the chance to witness one of the coastal city's top cultural events. Called the Tangalle Perahera, this large procession that's part of a larger religious festival incorporates some of the most popular elements of the Kandy Perahera. Elaborately dressed elephants including tuskers are part of this colourful parade where traditional dancers and fire breathers all march to the beat of eastern classical music. Although the tuskers will not be heralding the sacred tooth relic during the Tangalle Perahera, it is by no means a less spectacular religious parade than its Kandyan counterpart either in scale or scope.
As an event that's primarily marked by Tangalle's Hindu devotees and the Tamil community, the Hiriya Festival is associated with King Ravana of Ramayana fame. While traditional Tamil dancers and music are incorporated into the procession, it is the festival's rich history that draws visitors to this part of the island to take part in the festivities. As a red letter day in Tangalle's event calendar, the Hiriya Festival and its connection to the ancient Sri Lankan monarch who famously kidnapped Princess Sita from King Rama in India is also what sets it apart from other religious processions that take centre stage in the beach hotspot.
Tourists based at Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort and similar beach hotels can also take part in the Turtle Watching Festival which takes place each month from January to July. Coinciding with the egg-laying season among sea turtles, this festival allows visitors the chance to witness sea turtles occupying the beaches of Tangalle in large numbers. Swimming to shore in the veil of night, sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach and conceal the batch before returning to the ocean. The Rekawa Turtle Conservation Project in Tangalle is one of the chief organizers of the turtle-watching festival as the centre is involved in collecting and protecting these sea turtle eggs and hatchlings from natural predators.
While the Nuwara Deiyo Parade may not earn a spot on Sri Lanka culture tour itineraries, this village festival provides a great opportunity to understand Tangalle's local community and their beliefs. Dressing up in the guise of various deities, villagers perform ancient rituals to secure great blessings from the powers that be for the harvest to come.
Held as a precursor to the Vesak Festival, those who happen to be holidaying in Tangalle during the months of February and March can witness this illuminating local event. While paper lanterns fashioned by villagers will decorate nearly every Buddhist household during the period, travellers will note that the larger and more impressive lanterns are found along the main road and in central locations around the beach town.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
