A lesson to remember

by Husna Inayathullah

“Mom ,when are we going to see the Kandy Esala Perahera?, ” asked Nissanka.

Nissanka always waited each year eagerly to see the Kandy Esala perahera. He lived in the heart of Kandy with his mother and father. “Let's see son, we will try to go tomorrow. Father too will be at home. Three of us can go together, ” said Layagi, the mother.

Nissanka was so excited to see the perahera. He wanted to know the legend behind the perahera. So, he asked his mother to explain.

“Mom, please tell me the history of the Esala Perahera,” Nissanka said. “All right son, the Esala is believed to be a fusion of two separate but interconnected “Peraheras”. The Esala and Dalada.

The Esala perahera, which dates back to the 3rd century BC was a ritual enacted to request the gods for rainfall.” “Then what about the Dalada, mom?” asked Nissanka.

“Well, the Dalada Perahera is believed to have begun when the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka from India during the 4th century CE, 800 years after the passing away of the Buddha.” “By whom was the tooth relic taken in procession to Sri Lanka,mother?” asked Nissanka.

“According to tradition, the Tooth Relic was taken in procession to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha,” said Layagi.

Nissanka got ready and waited until his parents came to see the perahera. He loved to see the Kandyan dancers and the colourfully decorated elephants. Every year he used to take snaps of the elephants that were usually adorned with lavish garments. Nissanka had a collection of photographs which he captured from the day he could remember. Nissanka set out of the house with his parents. He was so delighted. They left home quite early so that they could reserve a place in one of the premises on the parade route before the perahera begins.

“Father, I can hear the whip cracking sound, ” said Nissanka. At the forefront of the procession were the whip-crackers near the Dalada Maligawa.

The cracking of whips all the way from the very beginning to the end of the chosen path of perahera signalled the approach of the procession. Nissanka sat with his parents in the premises. He took his camera, the one which his father presented him on his tenth birthday and went forward to take some snaps. He was very much interested in photography. His father too was a photographer.

Nissanka did not ask for permission from his parents. Once he saw the flag bearers carrying different provincial flags and the temples in single file on both sides of the road, he went forward to capture it. He even moved further to take snaps of the drummers and dancers. All of a sudden he realised that he had lost his way. He was missing his parents. Nissanka started to cry.

Tears rolled down his cheeks. He found himself amidst a huge crowd. Nissanka did not know as to what he could do. His parents too realised that Nissanka was missing in the crowd. They started to worry. “Why are you crying son?” one of the strangers asked Nissanka. “ I was interested in taking snaps and all of a sudden I missed my parents. Now I am unable to find them, ” said Nissanka.

“I will help you find your parents. Don't worry son, ” said the stranger. The old man got hold of Nissanka's hand and tried to help him find his parents.

Then all of a sudden Nissanka's parents too were looking for of him. So luckily they met face to face.

Nissanka hugged his parents soon after he found them. His parents advised him not to go alone. “You should never leave your parents. It is a mistake that you did, Nissanka, ” said his mother.

“I am sorry mom, I will never disobey you in the future, I promise,” said Nissanka.

Then they all went back view the perahera.