Bellanvila Esala Perahera: Sustaining Buddhist Culture for 75 years

Celebrating 75 years, the Bellanvila Esala Perahera continues as a vibrant cultural and religious event, fostering community and preserving tradition amidst evolving times.

The Perahera goes beyond commercial norms of having exclusive sponsorships

Both Private and Public enterprises support this event on an annual basis as it is increasingly difficult to organize such a massive event

The Perahera in Bellanwila is very unique in providing opportunities for men, women and children to take part

By  Kesaralal Gunasekera

For three-quarters of a century, the venerable  Bellanvila Esala Perahera  has gracefully processed through the streets, reaching its 75th year as a testament to enduring Buddhist culture and communal spirit. Conceived in 1950 by the late Ven. Bellanvila Somarathana Thera to bestow blessings during times of hardship, this annual spectacle, now a month of profound religious activities under Ven. Bellanvila Dhammarathana Thera, transcends mere ritual.  
The annual historic Bellanvila Esala Perahera takes to the streets for the 75th year.   

This remarkable cultural and religious event which started in 1950 as a ceremony to invoke blessing on the people and their cattle in times of famine and epidemics in the Bellanvila area is a concept introduced by the Late Ven. Bellanvila Somarathana Thera.   

Today under the guidance of Ven. Bellanvila Dhammarathana Thera, the Chief Sanghanayaka of Singapore and the present Viharadhipathi of Bellanvila Temple, it has become a month of religious activities.   

A special commemorative stamp will be issued to honour every person who has been involved in making this perahera in the last 75 years.  

As always, the funds collected from the perahera are utilized for the benefit of the people.   
The two Dhamma schools in English and Sinhala mediums, providing scholarships to children of low income families, conducting free health clinics and providing technical and vocational training for the youth are some of the services that the Temple provides.  

The Perahera 

This is one event which goes beyond commercial norms of having exclusive sponsorships. Both Private and Public enterprises support this event on an annual basis as it is increasingly difficult to organize such a massive event.   

Although there have been many changes in our society, the event as a whole has protected religious and cultural traditions and passed it on from generation to generation.  

Also, not only Buddhists, but Hindus, Christians and those of Islamic faith support us in this event without expecting anything in return. It is also an opportunity for vendors to make significant profits during the perahera time.   

The Perahera Committee offers opportunities to students of traditional dance to display their talents and most importantly includes dance forms of various parts of the country without any discrimination.  

Upcountry as well as low country and Sabaragamu dance styles are included.   

The Perahera in Bellanwila is very unique in providing opportunities for men, women and children to take part.   
This is most significant as most Temple pageants disallow women from participating.   

It is one of the most beautiful and colourful pageants in the country. With the sheer will power of the Chief Priests, past and present, and the support of the Dayaka Sabhava and the ‘Perahera Comitiya’ ensures that a grand show is placed before the public.   

Special gratitude and merits to Mr Abeytissa, a pious devotee who donated a new relics casket (Dhathu Karanduwa) and also a new compartment traditionally referred to as the “Ransivige” for the Karanduwa to be placed on the elephant. This is indeed something special to look forward to.  

The Perehera Committee and the Dayaka Sabhawa would like to express thanks to the State for its patronage and many individuals, banks, companies from both public and private sector, and the police, without whose contributions and participation we will not be able to bring this perahera to life year after year.   

The writer, S. V. D. Kesaralal Gunasekera, is the Secretary of the Bellanwila Esala Perahera Organizing Committee