Kataragama Esala Festival begins Wednesday

By M. K. Nandasena

The annual Esala festival of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala is scheduled to commence on Wednesday (15).  
Basnayaka Nilame Thilina Madusanka said all arrangements for the festival have been made and steps taken to provide adequate facilities and protection to the heavy influx of devotees including the ‘Pada Yatra’ pilgrims from the North and East journeying on foot through Kumana and Yala National parks.  
The procession that sets off from the Maha Devala ground after attending to a Buddha Pooja will pass the Basnayaka Nilame’s office, Sri Abhinawarama Temple and proceed along the main street to the Walliamma Devala and perform rituals there before returning to the Maha Devala.  
The festival ends on July 30 after the Water Cutting ceremony in Menikganga.