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Sinhala & Tamil New Year (Avurudu)
Every year on 13–14 April, island-wide
The whole island stops for the astrological new year: firecrackers at the auspicious hour, tables of kavum and kokis sweets, oil-anointing ceremonies and village games from tug-of-war to greasy-pole climbing.
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Kandy Esala Perahera
Every July/August — ten nights building to the Esala full moon
· Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic
The island's greatest pageant: ten nights of fire dancers, whip-crackers, Kandyan drummers and a torch-lit parade of ornately robed elephants honouring the Sacred Tooth Relic. Grandstand seats and hotels sell out months ahead.
