Kataragama Perahera today

by M. Nelson PIYARATNE Kataragama Group Cor.

The final perahera of the Kataragama devale will take place today. Basnayaka Nilame of the Kataragama devale and Chief Minister of Uva Province Shashindrakumara Rajapaksa will lead the perahera which will parade through various shrines in Kataragama.

Unlike in the past thousands of devotees from various parts of the country have gathered at Kataragama, the shrine at the Southern tip of the island. The peaceful atmosphere and hassle-free transportation have also helped thousands of devotees including those from the Northern and Eastern parts of the island to reach Kataragama. More than 30,000 "foot pilgrims" have arrived in Kataragama from the Northern and Eastern areas which were earlier affected by the internal conflict.

The "foot pilgrimage" is an ancient practice performed by devotees from Jaffna to fulfil their vows.

The pilgrims trek through the jungle pathway in the Northern and Eastern coastal belt of the island.

According to an official of the Wildlife Department, the arrival of devotees by foot to Kataragama still continues with the participation of men, women, children and elders.

Kataragama is significant for spiritual harmony as people of different faiths gather at the shrine for the festive season.

There has been an increase in the number of foreign tourists this year at Kataragama.

Tourists in hotels in the South will gather in Kataragama to witness the colourful perahera today.

Miss Eva Ambush, a German tourist said it was a pleasant sight to see that the whole country had gathered at the shrine to experience the spiritual bliss. The perahera concludes tomorrow with the water-cutting ceremony at the Menik Ganga.