Diwali In Sri Lanka: Is Diwali celebrated in Ravana’s city Lanka also, know how it is celebrated here?

Sri Lanka is a multi-religious country, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians all live here. Among these, the Tamil Hindu community celebrates Diwali with full enthusiasm. In Sri Lanka, this festival is seen as a symbol of the victory of good over evil, but here the story of Rama and Ravana is not mentioned directly.

The reason is clear that Ravana is still respected as a learned and powerful king in Sri Lanka. Here Diwali is called Lamp Festival or Lam Kriong. Its preparation starts weeks in advance.

Here also people clean their houses, which is called Suthu Kandu in the local language. It means removing negativity and welcoming positive energy. Before Diwali, here too the markets become vibrant, shops and streets are decorated with lamps and lights.

There too people buy new clothes, jewelery and sweets, just like the hustle and bustle before Diwali is seen in India. On festival mornings in Sri Lanka, Tamil families begin the day with oil bathing, which is considered sacred and a process of purification.

Then beautiful rangoli is made with rice flour at the main entrance of the houses, which symbolizes the welcome of guests and deities. There is a special tradition in Sri Lanka, lighting small lamps made of banana leaves. These lamps are lit by placing candles, coins and incense in them and many people float these lamps in rivers or lakes. It is considered a symbol of prosperity and auspiciousness.

There is special excitement in the capital Colombo on the evening of Diwali. Hundreds of devotees gather here for worship at the ancient Shiva temple Ponnambalvaneswara Devasthanam. The entire temple is decorated with lamps and special aarti is performed.

It is believed that on this day, prayers are offered to Lord Shiva and Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and peace by lighting a lamp in the temple. Interestingly, in Sri Lanka, Diwali is not seen as the festival of killing Ravana, but as the victory of light over darkness.

Many people believe that Diwali is limited to Colombo only, but the truth is that Diwali is celebrated in every area of ​​Sri Lanka where Tamil Hindus live, especially in areas like Jaffna, Trincomalee and Kandy.