Kataragama Esala festival begins on July 19

by M. Nelson Piyaratne, Kataragama Group Cor.

The Kataragama Esala committee meeting was held recently at the Daya Gamage Hall, Kirivehera under the patronage of the Incumbent of the Kirivehera Ven. Dr. Aluthwewe Soratha Thera.

The Basnayake Nilame and Uva Chief Minister Shasindra Kumara Rajapaksa, Moneragala District Secretary A. Pathinadan, Kataragama Divisional Secretary T.B.M. Atapattu and officials of government institutions and voluntary services also participated.

The Kataragama Esala festival will begin on July 19 and conclude on August 1 followed by the water-cutting ceremony on August 2.The fire-walking ceremony will be held on July 29. A coordinated bus service will be operated from Matara and Bandarawela to Kataragama during the festival.

The Water Board will provid pipe-borne water and plastic water tanks will be installed in the sacred city.

The sacred city and the town will be illuminated with flood lights.

There will be fumigation programs to protect pilgrims from mosquito related diseases. First-aid centres by several voluntary organisations will be set up during the festival. The Lahugala DS will provide Hindu devotees all basic facilities such as water and sanitation facilities until they reach Panama during the Pada Yatra.

When they reach the Yala jungle, the Army will provide them water and medical facilities till they reach the Kataragama sacred city.