Mahiyangana Esala Perahera commences

By Ranjith Karunaweera

The Esala Perahera festival in the historic Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya that commenced on Monday night (25) will last till September 08.

Kap planting ritual was performed at the auspicious hour of 10.39 pm on Monday under the auspices of Basnayake Nilame Gayan Hashila Neenkenda followed by Pirith chanting at the Saman Devala.

The Devala procession will continue till Friday (29) followed by Kumbal processions till September 02. The Randoli processions will parade the streets from September 03 to 07. The Adivasi procession of the Vedda community in the early hours of September 08 morning will follow.

The festival will conclude with the water cutting ceremony in the Mahaweli River, followed by a day procession on September 8. The Perahera festival is organised under the guidance of the Chief Incumbent of Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya Ven. Urulewatte Dhammarakkitha Thera and Basnayake Nilame of the Saman Devala Gayan Hashitha Heenkenda will be a grand cultural pageant.