Buddhist, Hindu, Vedda ceremonies on Day 6 of Esala Festival

Flag-hoisting at Teyvanai Amman Kovil

Kataragama festival in full swing

Ceylon Daily News article of 16 July 2002
by M. Nelson Piyaratne, Kataragama Group Correspondent

The Kataragama Esala Festival swings into high gear on 16 July with a series of colourful rites and rituals of Buddhist, Hindu and indigenous origins. Taken together the rites mark the Esala festival's shift into full swing in anticipation of the festival climax on Esala Poya Day.

The festival's indigenous Vedda origins are represented by the annual rebuilding of the pandalama or rustic canopy of fresh branches and leaves of margosa trees. The pandalama construction, under the direction of Rajakariya ancestral experts, thus preserves the tradition of God Kataragama's original jungle shrine.

At the same time in the adjoining Thevani Amman Devasthanam compound, Hindu monks of the Dasanami Order direct the ritual hoisting of a saffron kodi or flag representing renunciation, penance and purification. A similar flag is later raised at Muttulinga Ishwara (Sivan) Kovil.

The same morning, a chamber in the Basnayake Nilame walawwa is ritually purified by applying fresh cow dung to the floor and walls. Before noon the specially prepared chamber is scene to the annual Buddhist dana and anusasana or sermon hosted by the Basnayake Nilame.

That evening also features the first Esala Perahera in which the Basnayake Nilame participates in his official capacity as God Kataragama's 'prime minister'. Proceeding at a stately pace with full entourage including kapuralas, alatti ammas, torchbearers and hundreds of dancers, the God's Esala Perahera is an unforgettable sight for young and old alike.

Important Esala 2002 festival dates

For more information about Teyvayanai Amman Kovil and Matham, e-mail to D.M. Swaminathan dms@slt.lk.

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