September - the month of God Saman

by Mahil Wijesinghe

Ratnapura Saman Devale stands majestically on the bank of the Kalu Ganga. Built by Kamadewa, a minister of the King Parakramabahu II, in honour of the deity in fulfilment of a vow made by him before launching on gem mining.

Subsequently, Kings Parakramabahu VI and Rajasinghe I of Sitawaka had endowed this vihara and the devale in the vihara premises. A figure of God Saman which was in the devale in close proximity to Samantakuta too had been brought to Ratnapura during the reign of king Parakramabahu II.

The rituals had since then been practised. The origin of the pageant at Ratnapura therefore dates back to the Dambadeniya period according to the "Heritage of Sabaragamuwa."

The annual procession at Ratnapura Saman Devala held in the month of September is considered second, only to the Kandy pageant in grandeur and the observances of the age old customs and rituals.

After the Basnayake Nilame - the chief lay custodian - decides on the auspicious days and times for the various events, a hierarchy of traditional performers of duties are informed about their responsibilities before the commencement of the pageant.

First in the series of events is the planting of the kup to coincide with an auspicious moment. It is followed by the kumbal Perahera held over a period of five nights and the main Perahera for another five days. Deity Saman is symbolized by an arrow which receives a prominent place in the arrangement of the pageant and rituals associated therewith.

Many of the highlights associated with the main pageant held during the last five days enhance the grandeur of this great religious festival. Monks from Kottimbuwala Rajamaha Vihara chant Pirith before the commencement of the procession which is heralded by firing of gun shots.

Saman Devala Pageant, depicts a merging of several events. At the head of the pageant is the Perahera in honour of the Tooth relic followed by the processions in honour of the Goddess Pattini, Bisodeva and Kumaradeva. The procession dedicated to Deity Saman is the final item.

The rituals performed by the potter and the females provide great inspiration to the devotees. A huge two-faced figure of Mahababa with a serene face at one side and a fierce one at the other is a remarkable feature. It is believed that this figure depicts the character of King Rajasinghe I who was considered to be fierce, like a demon in anger, and pleasant like a deity to the virtuous.

Various dancers representative of the major dance forms - Kandyan, Sabaragamuwa and Low country add colour and grandeur to the procession. The culmination of the pageant is the water cutting ceremony on the last day at Kalu Ganga which flows near the Devale.

On the night following the completion of the pageant, a ritual is performed to bless all those responsible, including the Basnayake Nilame, Kapuralas, participants and the elephants who carry the caskets.

Many thousand of devotees and spectators take vantage positions along the route of the procession to view the colourful pageant.

These pictures were taken from last year's pageant.