Kup cutting ceremony held at Aluthnuwara Dedimunda Devale

The photograph on the left shows the gold pinnacle being handed over by the Basnayake Nilame Mahendra Ratwatte (left), who is also the Basnayake Nilame of Kandy Maha Vishnu Devale, to a temple official. The photograph on the right shows the pinnacle being placed by an official

A week before the Kandy Esala Perahera (pageant), the Kup is cut from Aluthnuwara Dedimunda Devale premises and the tree is taken to Kandy to be cut into four pieces and planted at the auspicious time to commence the Kandy Esala Maha Peraehra.

This is part of a restoration process of the Dedimunda Devale at Aluthnuwara, which can be reached by taking a turn off from the Mawanella main road and driving about 10 kilometres. This is the Devale (Shrine) of God Dedimunda.  The shrine is believed to have been built during the time of King Bhuwanekabahu (1273-1284 AD) but prior to this,, the area was  used by Buddhist monks as a religious school in the name of Assaddana Pirvena.

Bhuvenkabahau not only developed the Devale, but built a complete City as “Naawthilakaura” in the name of God Upulvan, (God Vishnu). However in later times it was entirely devoted to God Dedimunda until  King Senerath shifted the effigy of God Upulvan (or God Maha Vishnu) and Deity Sunethra. Before you climb the rock stone steps there is an Ambalama construed on the order of Queen Sunethra, the wife of Parakramabahu II. This was done in appreciation of partially curing a disease that King Parakramabahu suffered from. 

The commencement of the Kandy Perahera is from Aluthnuwara.  It is a long story and will be related to readers on another day close to the commencement of the Kandy Esala Maha Perahera. God Dedimunda is a powerful God. Some define him as a  God who punishes wrongdoers.

The photograph produced along with this article shows the gold pinnacle (an upright architectural member generally ending in a small spire) reconstructed in gold. It was handed over by the Basnayake Nilame Mahendra Ratwatte (pictured on the left) who is also the Basnayake Nilame of Kandy Maha Vishnu Devale. 

There is a temple norm that no one climbs up to the roof except for those who serve in the devale. The Kandy Esala Perahera commences after the “Kap” is removed from Aluthnuwara to Kandy, seven days prior to the main event.