Bullock cart church feast at Kattimahana

by S.M. Wijayaratne - Kurunegala Cor.

The church of St. Anne at Kattimahana, Kurunegala will celebrate its 116th annual feast today. This is the only church where catholic pilgrims travel in bullock carts at the feast annually.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the chief guest and will officiate at the main prayer sessions to invoke blessings on all pilgrims and Sri Lankans for a better future.

Rev. Fr. Basil Rohan Fernando, the Administrator of the church said that 200 bullock carts with devotees would venerate the holy statue of St. Annes' this year. This feast is called Karatta Mangallaya (the feast of bullock carts) He said that all Buddhists in neighbouring villages extend their support during the annual feast that lasts nearly 10 days and that it fosters inter religious harmony among residents in the area.