Sri Lanka. Vesak Day. Part 1

We mentioned about holidays in Sri Lanka and reported that Sri Lankans are not against povidpochyvaty — 25 public holidays a year. But among all this abundance is pride of place for a special celebration called Vesak. If you resort to orthodox terms, it is a combination of Trinity and Christmas. On this day Theravada Buddhists celebrate birthday, enlightenment and transition Siddharthy Ґautamy (Buddha) to Nirvana. Of course, all these events took place with Buddha did not for one day, but, according to legend, in the same month — May. 2012, this holiday fell on 24 May. The name of the holiday "Vesak" comes from the name of the second month of the ancient calendar — vayshakha that Sinhala language sounds like "Vesak".

In celebration of Vesak we were invited to visit, because a hairstyle that would normally hold a couple of weeks, had to be brought to order. To this end was chosen small local hair salon.

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In the cities you can find plenty of quite decent and modernized beauty, but in small town residents still use the services of such authentic hairdressers. Explain all your wishes regarding the form of future hair can be without words — just pokes his finger in the photo.

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Get ready for that huge choice may puzzle you:

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Frozen in anticipation of new hair:

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After some time, begin to appear the first audience:

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A few minutes and you can see the first glimpses of the future of beauty:

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Cost range of services is typically $1, but we tourists because of special discounts for tourists — one dollar turns into three.

Workplace Barber:

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Citing marafet, feel free to go to the celebrations. Usually after 9 pm in Sri Lanka do nothing — life is suspended until morning. But the feast of Vesak, at this time only the main festivities begin — all available on the island of illumination as if competing in their multicolored and beauty, and people continue to have fun staggering 12 o'clock. Incidentally, a large number of light — an essential attribute of the holiday. Light symbolizes enlightenment, the Buddha which came many years ago.

In electrical switch on all lights found:

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Mandatory attribute of enlightenment is the film "Scream" in 1996 issue:

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There are masks and other films that, according to ancient legend, the Buddha loved to watch:

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Fans religious and choral singing can enjoy plenty him on the street:

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Closer to 11 o'clock people began to gather to watch the "parade":

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The festive opening sheriff go on an elephant:

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They were moving columns of different dancers have even foreigners from India:

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Each team — own choreographic and musical program, but all share the lack of shoes:

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Periodically passing cars with the culprit holidays:

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Again Dance:

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A little later there tamers Frisbee team:

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Almost immediately, the captain receives a yellow card for dangerous game:

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The leader of each group can be identified by the yellow jersey — as in cycling:

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Fun and holiday — is in full swing:

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Such compositions called Pondal. They depicted scenes from the life of Buddha. These works of art — the result of an entire brigade of painters and electricians. Work on Pondalamy may take more than one month, all held in a clean and inexhaustible enthusiasm, but this is not surprising when talking about love of art and Buddha.

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During the celebration of Vesak can meet even the bearded girls:

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Some of the most honorable participants of the procession — the monastery guards who watch over the preservation of religious intventaryu. Local call them nilame:

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Sometimes the convoy stopped to greet the participants to their relatives and friends:

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This brief report our coming to an end. Next time we will tell as the feast of Vesak is a free meal.

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