14th of
May is Vesak, full moon Poya day in Sri Lanka. According to Wikipedia, Vesak is
‘sometimes informally called Buddha’s Birthday.’ It is a celebration that
includes lighted lanterns made of all sizes, from hanging small ones, to giant
standing lanterns, most handmade. It is a very big deal here in Sri Lanka.
One Vesak, Lipton's brother-in-law, made the largest Vesak lantern in his village. He won first prize for his weeks of work!
There was a small
rain as I struck out with my tuk tuk driver to see the lights yesterday. We began at
4:30PM, which was way too early, so I wandered around the Gangarama Temple area
and took photos in the evening light, waiting for the man-made lights to come on. Most
displays of the Vesak lanterns are covered in plastic to that the public can’t
see them until the auspicious time. I heard that the time was 6:30PM and then
that was amended to 7PM. Lots of wandering.
Finally at 6:15PM
on the dot, a parade began with drummers and dancers and people carrying gifts
for the Buddha. I was in the street taking photos, while the crowd was held
back by the multitude of police. I’m not sure why they let me get such a close
view of the parade, but it goes to show the politeness of the Sri Lankan people. Perhaps it
was because of my big camera that made me look somehow important. There were
other photographers there also, but they were from the Navy. So, I got a crowd-free
view! No complaints!
My tuk tuk was
parked in a great spot, right by Beriya Lake, just across the street and down
the road from Gangarama Temple. Except it was right under a loud speaker and
the sound of the monk giving his message to the people went right through our
ears like a screaming F16! So I kept wandering and waiting. The message seemed
to go on forever and not understanding what the monk was saying, I had no clue
as to when he was going to finish. So, I suggested we leave. I’d had enough of
waiting.
As soon as we were
in traffic, 5 minutes away, the booming of fireworks went off! And all the
lights went on as well. I had missed it with my impatience. But I was happy
enough with the photos that I got and besides, it was dark and I had a 50mm
lens that captures low-light photos, but I wasn't sure it would capture ones in
complete darkness.
So, we made our way
back to Mount Lavinia and caught lights along the way. I told Ranga, my tuk tuk
driver, that I really wanted to see a Torana, a super large lighted story of
Buddha’s life. We stopped at two Toranas, but the lights weren’t on yet. Ranga said
there was one on the main road to my house, and sure enough the lights were on
and the crowd was small. Again I got a crowd-free shot! I was happy!
Beriya Lake, before the lights came on.
The small temple near Gangarama Temple in Beriya Lake.
Lotus flowers, unlit, but bright and beautiful.
These Buddha statues surround the small temple on Beryiya Lake.
Lots of security present.
The Vesak lanterns on display, are shrouded with
plastic until the auspicious time to show them. Then
the crowds come to see the lanterns lit up and many
of them are moving ones.
The Navy holding the flags, and ready for the parade.
Sri Lankan drummers and dancers also in the parade.
Gangarama Temple.
Road on which the Gangarama Temple is located. Lots
of lights and flags.
Vesak lanterns hung from the trees.
A dancer and drummers of the parade.
The beginning of the parade.
A giant Vesak lantern that moves.
This Devil (on the right) denied the monkeys from
drinking water at the lake, so the clever monkey
(on the right) got a long tube-shaped reed and drank
the water through it, fooling the Devil!
Dancers in the parade doing acrobatics.
Drummer doing flips!
People of the Chinese Embassy taking gifts to the Buddha.
Lighted tree outside a shop.
I think this was at a bank.
A Torana in the background, unlit.
The Torana near my house.
The lighted story of Buddha's life.
Ranga's tuk tuk! My ride for the night!
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