Kumana sanctuary gates opened to facilitate ‘Pada Yathra’

  Pilgrims from North and East journey on foot to Kataragama through Kumana and Yala national parks each year in an event popularly known as the Pada Yatra (Journey by foot)

By  Ajithlal Shanthaudaya

The main entrance to the Kumana National Park  opened on June 20 for the Pada Yatra (Journey by foot) pilgrims from North and East journeying on foot to Kataragama through Kumana and Yala national parks.

A senior official of the Department of Wildlife and Conservation (DWC) said that the gate at the national park once opened at the specified date would be closed on July 04 and that no pilgrim would be permitted to enter the national park thereafter.

He said that an average of more than 35,000 pilgrims from all walks of life coming from the North and East make a journey on foot every year to attend the Ruhunu Kataragama Esala festival. This traditional journey on foot, called Pada Yatra, is made through the thick jungle teeming with wild animals. The Pada Yathra has a history of more than 200 years.

It is of significance that pilgrims refrain from eating meat and consuming liquor and restrict themselves to a vegetarian diet for about two months before they set off on the Pada Yatra journey.  The pilgrims arriving early from the North and East and the hill country stay at Okanda Hindu temple until the gate of the Kumana National Park is opened.

According to legend, Skanda Kumara or Lord Kataragama, who arrived from India in search of Valli Amma (later worshipped as a goddess) had landed ashore near Okanda temple.

The pilgrims who enter Kumana National Park proceed through Bagurawa, Madamethota, also called Kuda Kebilittha,  and Gajabawa, Pilinnawa, also called Lin Thuna, Potthana, New Ferry in Menikganga and Warahana in the Yala National Park Zone two. Later they enter Yala National Park Zone ‘One’ and exist through Katagamuwa gate.  They break journey at Kochchipathana Hindu Kovil for several days before arriving Kataragama.

The pilgrims from Nagadeepa in the North, who make the longest journey, had set off on the day following the Vesak full moon Poya.

The pilgrims on Pada Yatra usually spend about four nights in Kumana and Yala National Parks, which are teeming with wild beasts. DWC has taken steps to provide basic facilities at Yala Zone ‘One’ and ‘Two’ for the pilgrims arriving in groups. DWC Officers in Ampara district and the Range Forest office in Ampara district have taken steps to hold a Dansala (a place where free meals are offered) at Bagurawa in Kumana National Park to provide free meals to pilgrims staying overnight on June 20.

Diyawadana Nilame of Kandy Sri Dalada Maligawa Pradeep Nilanga Dela said that the Dansala at Katupila in the Yala Zone one would be organised this year as usual.

The Esala festival in Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala will commence on June 26 and conclude after the main procession on July 10. This will be followed by the water cutting ceremony, scheduled to be held in Menik Ganga on July 11.