Bellanwila Esala Maha Perahera:

A unique annual cultural pageant

by Rupa Banduwardena

Any passer-by would not fail to drop a coin into a till on either side of the entrance to the Bellanwila Raja Maha Vihara and invoke the blessings on whatever he holds in his mind. If you are a regular visitor or an honest devotee you are sure that your wishes are fulfilled, merit increased and you are in a relaxed mind, devoid of worries that trouble you always.

The Raja Maha Vihara, is in a calm and serene surrounding. No Buddhist could miss this Punyabhoomiya where devotees throng very often. Well-known for its exceptional miraculous powers it draws massive crowds not only on Poya days but also on other days. The popularity of the Rajamaha Vihara has spread island-wide. This is the 15th year of our regular visit to the sacred premises every Saturday except during my stay away from the island for short periods.

Since I am in the evening of my life, I wish to be blessed with good health. This fascinating temple is among the oldest dating back to the glorious Anuradhapura period. Among the chronicles the only existing primary source of information is Bodhiwamsa which speaks of 40 places where the Bo saplings from the original sacred bo-tree were planted. Bellanwila is one of them.

There is also a mass of folk tales and oral tradition handed down by the early inhabitants to this day.

The temple has become a pious and a powerful stronghold of piety and sanctity where devotees throng the holy spot for redress and it has been declared as a world heritage site.

The traditional perahera

The unique cultural event is held in August annually. The annual festival dates back to the era of Ven. Somaratana Thera who was mainly responsible for the historic revival of the temple and the traditional perahera.

The noble thought that sprung in his mind was set forth to success by the present incumbent Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Nayaka Thera the renowned erudite scholar Bhikkhu with other resident bhikkhus and the dayaka sabha.

This uphill task held under the patronage Nayaka Thera is carried out in perfect order. The elaborate perahera program includes a week-long pirith-chanting to invoke blessings on the devotees and the sacred site.

The most admirable is the serene look given to the premises with the well laid out picturesque garden of green foliage. No other cultural event in the district can surpass the Bellanwila Esala Maha Perahera as it is called.

With the kap-planting followed by Devadutha, Kumbal, Mal, Pavada and Ransivili peraheras, the Randoli Maha Perahera will be held on the last day.

The event concludes with the water cutting ceremony and the alms-giving held subsequently. Water-cutting is held at the Boralesgamuwa ferry. It is amazing to see the tuskers, well cared for in the vicinity of the temple.

The decorated tuskers in their fineries, dance and drumming performers, trumpeteers flag and torch bearers, whip-crackers, conch shell blowers contribute their share to give life to the colourful perahera parading along the streets. Buddhists should not fail to visit this blissful place of worship.