Saturday, 31 May 2014 00:00
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Vesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment (Nirvana) and passing away (Paranirvana) of Gautama Buddha, traditionally observed by Buddhists in Sri Lanka. It is a season of lights, peace and inner happiness. The Vesak festival was celebrated in Sri Lanka on 14 and 15 May this year and the streets were adorned with colourful, illuminated paper lanterns, pandals depicting stories of the Buddha and of course enthusiastic people parading the streets to catch a glimpse of its magnificence.
Situated in the heart of the city of Colombo, The Kingsbury too celebrated this sacred festival by engaging its staff members, guests and the general public. In celebration the Hayleys Group Staff Choir performed a ceremony of reciting traditional songs or ‘bhakthi gee’ at the terrace of The Balmoral hall. The event attracted the many guests in the hotel, who stood around the performance and either joined in or watched with interest.
Additionally, the hotel held a lantern competition, which required employees from each department to create their own ‘Vesak koodu’ and submit. Once again the competition was held at the terrace of The Balmoral hall, enabling casual passersby too to take a glance. The staff participated enthusiastically, which made the event more so interesting. The First, Second and Third prizes were won by the Kitchen Department, Housekeeping Department and the Engineering Department respectively. The competition not only fostered the spirit of Vesak, but also consolidated the staff through a recreational route.
