← Sri Lanka in FebruaryReligious Festival
Navam Perahera
Colombo's grandest Buddhist procession at Gangaramaya Temple.
What it is
Navam Perahera is Colombo's largest and most vibrant Buddhist procession, organised by the Gangaramaya Temple near Beira Lake. Over 50 decorated elephants, thousands of dancers, drummers, and fire performers parade through the streets of Colombo over two nights. The procession circles around Viharamahadevi Park and the Beira Lake, creating a stunning spectacle. It is the best perahera to see if you cannot make it to Kandy in August.
Tips for visitors
- Book a hotel near Beira Lake for the best vantage point
- Expect road closures in central Colombo
- Bring earplugs if you are sensitive to loud drumming
Planning a trip in February?
Weather, sea conditions and crowds change a lot through the year. Read our guide to Sri Lanka in February before you book.
Also in February
- National HolidayIndependence DayNational day commemorating independence from British rule in 1948.
- Religious FestivalMaha ShivaratriHindu night of devotion to Lord Shiva with fasting and all-night prayers.
- Wildlife & NatureLeopard Safari Season (Yala)Best time to spot leopards in Yala — the highest leopard density in the world.
- Religious FestivalNawam Full Moon Perahera (Colombo)Major Buddhist procession around Beira Lake in central Colombo.
Planning around Navam Perahera?
Tell us your dates and we'll build your itinerary around it — where to stay, how to get there and when to arrive.
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