[Photo Sparks] Vesak in Colombo: creativity, lights and enlightenment!

PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In this week’s photo essay, we showcase the vibrant colours, creativity and lights at the Vesak celebrations in Colombo!

In the earlier 45 posts, we brought you a wide range of creative photographs from an art fair, world music festival, painting fair, telecom expo, art museum, mobile showcase, math museum, social hackathon, bookstore, co-working space, sensorium, international design week, flower show, outdoor ads, startup roadshow, computer museum, startup T-shirts, business cards, art therapy, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, jazz festival, modern art gallery, ecopreneurs, painter-poets, health activists, eNGOs and digital innovators.

On a recent trip to Sri Lanka, I was fortunate to witness the solemnity and celebration of Vesak in Colombo. Pandals, lanterns, food stalls, dramas and prayer ceremonies drew devotees from across the country to the streets of the capital for all-night celebrations of the birth of Lord Buddha and his messages of enlightenment.

The creativity and devotion reminded me of the brilliant Ganesh Chaturthi pandals during my school days in Pune and college days in Mumbai, and of the spectacular Durga Puja in Kolkata during later visits. Vesak is also known as Vaisakhi or Buddha Purnima in India, Hari Raya Waisak in Indonesia, Hana Matsuri in Japan, Seokka Tanshin-il in Korea and Wisakha Bucha in Thailand.

Viewing the lanterns and skylines during daytime and night highlight the differences in perspective (see also my photo essay on the Mid Autumn Lantern Festival in Singapore), and make for creative interpretations. So as we unwind this weekend, let us reflect on the global nature of creativity, the power of human faith, and the universal spirit of enlightenment that binds us all together, and work for a better and more peaceful world!

Got a creative photograph to share? Email us at [email protected]!

See also the YourStory pocketbook ‘Proverbs and Quotes for Entrepreneurs: A World of Inspiration for Startups,’ accessible as apps for Apple and Android devices.