The Vesak Lantern We Made at Home – 1986

Date: May 1986
Location: Our Family Home, Galmolawatta, Homagama
Occasion: Vesak Festival
Category: Family / Childhood Memories / Vesak Creations

These photographs preserve a special childhood memory from Vesak in May 1986, when we made this large decorative Vesak lantern at our family home in Galmolawatta, Homagama.

The original design of the lantern was my brother’s creation. Using bamboo and other simple materials, he constructed its distinctive and elaborate framework, while my sisters and I helped with the decoration. The lantern was finished in bright yellow and red, with long white streamers adding movement and character to the completed design.

At that time, making Vesak decorations at home was itself an important part of celebrating the festival. Rather than simply using ready-made decorations, family members worked together—constructing the frame, attaching paper, decorating the individual sections and finally preparing the completed lantern for display.

One photograph captures the lantern while we were still working on its construction and decoration, while the other preserves the impressive finished creation. Together, they represent more than a Vesak lantern; they preserve a memory of creativity, teamwork among siblings, family traditions and the simple happiness of Vesak during my childhood in the 1980s.