Ruhunu Kataragama Esala festival commences on July 15

By Sumanasiri Gunatilaka

Colombo, June 2 (Daily Mirror) - The Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala Esala festival will commence on July 15 and end on July 30 after the Water Cutting ceremony in Menikganga.

An alms giving will be held in the Basanayaka Nilame’s traditional official quarters on July 20, and Basnayaka Nilame Arachchige Thilina Madusanka will take part in the procession for the first time during the festival.

Fire walking ritual will be performed in the early hours of July 27 and the final great Procession on July 29, followed by the water cutting ceremony on July 30.

Kap Planting ceremony, precursor of the festival, took place last morning with the participation of the Banayaka Nilame and the Devala office bearers.

Basnayaka Nilame Thilina Madusanka said all arrangements to hold the Esala festival were being made, and to provide facilities and protection for the devotees attending the ceremony were also being made.