Esala exodus to Kataragama commences

Devotees from all corners of the country will throng Kataragama holy shrine to pay homage to God Skanda, to seek His blessings for the fulfilment of their vows. People of different faiths, make it a habit to visit Kataragama, at least once an year and pay their tributes to the God for what they have received!

Kataragama also designated as 'Sacred shrine of peace'. Of the three peraheras, the Esala Perahera is the one held with much pomp and pageantry. The other two, Kaththi festival and Sinhala and Hindu New Year festivals are conducted at a low profile.

Access to Kataragama

Access to the Kataragama is possible through Tissa-Kataragama, Buttala-Kataragama, Lunugamwehera-Kataragama and Okanda-Kataragama road.

Traditionally, the "Pada Yatra" devotees from the North and East of the country make it a habit to take the long and circuitous road through the jungles to reach their destination. The animal infested jungle is no challenge to them as they are determined to pay their homage to the God. During our recent visit to Kataragama we met several personages who made their observations on the holy shrine.

History behind kataragama

Dr. Ven. Aluthwewa Soratha Thera	Ven. Kapugama Saranathissa Thera	Ven. Mataramba Hemaratna Thera

Ven. Kapugama Saranatissa Nayake Thera, Chief Adhikarana Sanghanayake of Ruhunu-Magam Pattu and Viharadhipathi of Abhinawaramaya, Kataragama: Esala perahera has an ancient history behind it. Kataragama is known to tea places of religious worship in which memories and achievers of all religions have reposed their faith of difficult seasons.

There is complete harmony among the devotees, irrespective of deference of cast, creed, race etc... What we understood from the devotees from the North and East is that the terrorists have cast a gloom of suspicion in their minds about their southern counterparts. There brief association with the Sinhalese people during the festival period has helped ward off such suspicions and apprehensions, if any in them. Basnayake Nilame, Shashindra Rajapaksa is much keen to conduct the perahera on a high profile.

Devotees from far away places like Colombo are advised to desist from using polythene materials and spoil the environment. Devalaya authorities prefer if the devotees are dressed in a proper attire to suit the occasion.

Basnayake Nilame Shashindra Kumara Rajapaksa	Col. Anura Wijekoon	Kataragama OIC. Lakshiri Chandimal

Ven. Aluthwewa Soratha Nayake Thera, Vice-Chancellor, Uva Wellassa University, and Kataragama, Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharadhipathi.

Legend has it that the history of Kataragama goes back to the period of King Dutugemunu, who had invoked the blessings of the God Skanda. Except for the pristine glory associated with the shrine, the landscape has transformed beyond recognition. The Esala Perahera continues for fifteen days uninterruptedly. Presumably under the stewardship of the New Basnayake Nilame, the perahera would be better organised.

"I appeal to the devotees to be conscious about their health and security as well and avoid wearing expensive jewellery," the Venerable Nayaka Thera said.

Ven. Mataramba Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Viharadhipathi: "The Esala festival begins on 15th instant. Infrastructure facilities for the hundreds of thousands of devotees who will pour into Kataragama, are being provided under the direction of the Basnayake Nilame. Sithulpawwa is 11 miles away from Kataragama. Tamil devotees who trudge their way thorough thick jungles used to pay homage at Sithulpawwa as well. The government pays special attention to health and security matters during the festival season".

Col. Anura Wijekoon, Commander/Yala - Hambantota: "We have taken adequate steps to ensure the security of the devotees who visit Kataragama this season. Road blocks are installed on all access roads and vehicles are checked regularly. Special arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of the devotees from North-East of the country. The Army security dragnet covers part of Yala jungle whilst the costal belt is guarded by the Navy".

Most crowded event

OIC Kataragama Police, Laksiri Chandimal: "Kataragama Esala festival is the most crowded event of the year. We have deployed a complement of 1,700 police officers to ensure the security of the area. A large number in civvies have also been detailed. Ban as the transport of liquor and drugs is strictly enforced. The police could be contacted and complaints lodged, where necessary," he said.

Basnayake Nilame of Rahunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya, Shashindra Kumara, Rajapaksa: "We have taken special care about lodging, health and sanitation during the festival period. Facilities to the Tamil devotees who walk the entire distance from the Northern-Eastern provinces down to Kataragama will be provided. On their return they are expected to carry the message of peace to their near and dear. To ensure a clean environment, the Commissioner of Prisons has agreed deploy the prisoners .

No liquor and polythene

This time some dance ensembles from the Eastern province are expected to participate at the Perahera devotees are advice to desert from taking liquor polythene bags etc with them so that the environment could be kept clear." A special programme to ensure water, security, sanitation and lodging requirements of the devotees will be implemented by authorities with the participation of the Basnayake Nilame.Basnayake Nilame Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya Shashindra Kumara Rajapaksa: "We have taken special care about the lodging, health and sanitation during the festival period. Arrangements have been made to provide facilities to the Tamil devotees who visit the shrine from North and the East of the country.

Text by: Prasad Warnakula

Translations by: Kiththampahuwa