'Athupandalama' ritual at Kataragama Temple

The ritual known as 'Athupandalama' took place at the Kataragama Devalaya in connection with the Esala Perahera. The ceremony marks the thatching of the hut in front of the main temple, with its branches referred to as Athupandalama. This ritual is held annually, with the main temple tusker performing the ceremony in the presence of the Basnayaka Nilame. Pix by Nisal Baduge