Ways to Explore Sri Lanka’s Culture: 19 Experiences by Type
The best ways to explore Sri Lanka’s culture: sacred sites, ancient cities, dance, festivals, colonial heritage, tea, meditation and village stays.
Sri Lanka Village Homestay: How to Choose and What to Expect
How to choose a village homestay in Sri Lanka: why SLTDA registration matters, what a stay is like, where to stay and how to be a good guest.
Meditation Retreat in Sri Lanka: What to Expect and Where to Go
What a meditation retreat in Sri Lanka involves: the daily timetable, precepts and rooms, centres such as Nilambe near Kandy, and how to fit one into a trip.
Thai Pongal in Sri Lanka: The Tamil Harvest Festival
Thai Pongal in Sri Lanka falls on 15 January 2027. What happens at the dawn ritual, where to experience it, and other Tamil festivals through the year.
Hindu Temples in Sri Lanka: The Pancha Ishwarams and Beyond
A guide to Hindu temples in Sri Lanka: the five ancient Pancha Ishwarams, Nallur, Kataragama, Matale and Colombo’s kovils, with visiting etiquette.
Nallur Festival in Jaffna: Chariot Day, Dates and Dress
A guide to the Nallur festival at Jaffna’s Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil: what happens over about 25 days, the chariot procession, dates, dress and visiting tips.
Kataragama Festival: Sri Lanka’s Multi-Faith Esala Pilgrimage
The Kataragama festival in south-east Sri Lanka: what happens over two weeks of processions, the Pada Yatra walking pilgrimage, dates and how to visit.
Vesak in Sri Lanka: Lanterns, Pandals and Dansal
Vesak in Sri Lanka falls on 19 May 2027: what happens, where to see lanterns and pandals in Colombo, Kandy and Anuradhapura, and how visitors can take part.
Sri Lanka Festivals Calendar 2027: Dates by Month
Sri Lanka’s main festivals in 2027 by month, from Thai Pongal and New Year to Vesak, Poson and Deepavali, plus temple festivals still to be announced.
Tea Factory Visit in Sri Lanka: What You See and Where to Go
What happens on a tea factory visit in Sri Lanka, from withering to grading, the best time to go, and where to visit near Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ella.