Navam Maha Perahera

Colourful pageantry in the city :

The annual Navam Maha Perahera which is a looked -forward-to - cultural event of the city, was held on February 2 and 3, 2007.

The original Perahera called Kolombo Esala Maha Perahera was held at Gangaramaya to commemorate the First Sermon of the Buddha, in the month of Esala (August). Later, many problems arose, which made it impossible to hold the annual Perahera. One of the reasons was that the Nayaka Thero's health deteriorated.

Instead, a very successful Navam Maha Perahera is held annually in the month of Navam (February) with many innovations. In 1979, the first Navam Perahera was started with the support and co-operation of Mr. R. Premadasa, the then M.P. of Central Colombo.

The aims of this Perahera are varied. It is primarily in veneration of the Triple Gem (Thun Sarana). It is for the appreciation and sustenance of traditional dancing and other art forms as well as the Sinhala culture.

It is also to encourage little known but talented artistes, to keep their arts alive, and be known.Ven. Sariputta and Moggallana received the title of the Chief Disciples on a Navam Full Moon Poya Day. The Perahera is also an offering in veneration of the Buddha, the Chief Disciples and also the Maha Sangha in general.

Navam Maha Perahera emerged in an era when there were no Peraheras in Colombo. Now the dancers have the opportunity to be trained, to organize leaders and to gain recognition. The artistes are given help to prepare their costumes.

The families of mahouts have received many gifts such as sewing machines, clocks, bicycles, tape-recorders, radios, TV sets etc. Each family has received a gold sovereign and a Deposit Account of Rs. 6,000.

Facilities have been made for tens of thousands of local people and tourists to enjoy and appreciate Sinhala culture. This in turn will help in the preservation of the Sinhala-Buddhist cultural heritage. The Perahera is an example of methodical planning.

History of Gangaramaya

Don Bastian Mudaliyar who was looking for a suitable land to build a temple for the Matara Sri Dharmarama thero, bought a beautiful piece of land belonging to three Moors, and filled and prepared the land at great expense.

The land, bordered on two sides by the Moragoda Ela and the Pettigala Ela was used to build the temple, which was subsequently named the Padawthota Gangaramaya Viharaya.

The Mudaliyar, with the assistance of the people built a great 'Chaitya' (Dagaba) of 30 Riyans, and built a great decorative arch (thorana) and a 'Sandakada Pahana' modeled on the ones found at Anuradhapura, at the entrance to the temple.

A 'Bo' sapling brought from the great Sri Maha Bhodiya in Anuradhapura, was also planted with his own hands and brought up. He also built a three-storied preaching hall and the walls, railings and the moat round the temple.

(IT)

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