Sri Pada pilgrim season ends

BY Gamini Bandara Ilangatilleka   

Sri Pada pilgrim season 2024/25 ended yesterday, the day following the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day.   

Chief Incumbent of Sri Padasthana and Chief Sanghanayaka of Sabaragamuwa Province, Ven. Bengamuwe Dhammadinna Thera said the golden statues of the God, the caskets of sacred relics and the regalia were taken in processions through Ratnapura – Palabathgala and Hatton-Nallathanniya routes.   

The processions left the Sri Padastana upper compound at 11.41 am last morning.   

The procession on Sri Padastana – Nallathanniya route arrived to Sri Pada Buddhist Centre at Nallathanniya at 2.45 pm. Thousands of devotees had lined up on either side of the Sri Pada pilgrim route to pay homage to the casket of Sacred Relics and the statue.   

The motorcade carrying the Sacred Relics and the statue left for Galpottawala Sri Pada Rajamaha Viharaya through Maussakele, Kiriwanna Eliya, Kalugala, Kitulgala, Avissawella and Pelmadulla.   

Nuwara Eliya District Secretary Thushari Thennakoon and several senior police and security force officials were present at the occasion.