Kataragama - Esala festival of great significance

by Chanuka Mannapperuma reporting from Kataragama

Kataragama is a multi-religious sacred city as it contains an Islamic Mosque within its Devale complex as well. It holds its annual festival, that celebrates the Gods courtship and marriage to a Vedda princess, from July to August.

When we think about Kataragama the first thing that comes into our mind is God Skanda and the Kiri Vehera. Furthermore, we think of the Menik Ganga, All pilgrims to Kataragama believe in the power of God Skanda.

Lord Buddha on his third and the last visit to Sri Lanka was believed to have met King Mahasena who ruled over the Kataragama area in B.C.580. One of the main sacred places in Katharagama is Kirivehera Dageba which stands in close proximity to the Devale was built by the King Mahasena.

According to legend, the King met the Lord Buddha and listened to the Buddhas discourse and as a token of gratitude, the Dageba was built on that exact spot where it now stands.

To honour god Kataragama three festivals are conducted during the year. They are the New Year Festival, Esala Festival and IL Maha Festival.

The New Year festival celebrated in the month of April is known as the Aluth Sahal Mangalaya where the rice that has been harvested is offered to the Dewala by the farmers. On the same day after the opening of the Maha Dewala the New Year festival begins.

This is a one day Perahera and it is held on the night of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year. This Perahera winds its way up to Valli Amma Dewalaya where some more rituals are performed.

Then the casket is placed in the Maha Dewalaya. Water from the Menik Ganga is brought and poured over the Bo tree. After this the women folk descended from the Veddahs conduct a special Pooja called Alatthibema to wish for long life for the god. Then after many more rituals the festival ends.

The Main festival is the Esala festival held in the month of July. According to the folk lore there had been a crucial war between Sura and Asura the Gods and their enemies. During the period the whole area takes on the look of a carnival. Forty five days after this the Perahera starts. Before the Perahera starts Buddhist monks from Kiri Vehera chant Pirith and the casket is placed on the back of the elephant.

This is done on all 15 days that the Perahera is conducted. On the final day of the Perahera the casket containing the relics of Lord Buddha are taken in Procession up to the Kiri Vehera.

Then the various rituals are done and the Perahera moves to the Dewala Maluwa and from there to the outer street then towards Main Street up To Valli Amma Dewalaya.

Again various rituals are done. Then the Perahera moves to the Maha Dewalaya and it ends there. From the 6th day onwards the Basnayake Nilame walks in the Perahera after offering alms to priests.

Fire walking is also a special event at the end of this festival. Those who take part in the fire walking abstain from eating meat and fish and become totally vegetarian. They participate for all 15 days. This event is done with great faith in the Gods. By performing fire walking these pilgrims expect the special blessings of the Gods. If someone is burnt while walking on the fire everyone believes that God-is-not-blessing them.

The Esala festival ends with the water cutting ceremony which is held the following morning to invoke the blessing of the Gods For a prosperous period. The water cutting 'Kapurala' is taken in a palanquin made of Palmayrah leaves.

This Kapurala carries a golden sword and a golden pot. From the spot where he cuts the water he collects some into the golden pot and carries it back to the Dewalaya where it is kept until the next Perahera.

The IL Maha Perahera the last festival of the year is this festival which starts 4 months after the Esala festival. This is a one day festival. One of the main characters in Katharagame Devale is Basnayake Nilame.

The youngest Basnayake Nilame of the Kataragama Devale is a charismatic man. Quite humble with a down to earth character, Shashindra Kumara Rajapakse is committed to his faith and task.

This youthful, unassuming quiet and pleasant man is a product of St. Thomas's college, Mount Lavinia. Perhaps, it could be the first time a Thomian from Mt. Lavinia may have assumed the highest office in a Devale in this Island-nation. Shashindra is a graduate from the New-Delhi University holding a degree in political science.

Shashindra was elected uncontested as the Basnayake Nilame in year 2005.By profession he works as the private Sectary to President Mahinda Rajapksa.

"I met this charmistic and enthusiastic man a few days ago when I went to report about Katharagama Esala Maha Perehera.

In conversation Shashindra said, he fully engaged in the responsibilities cast upon him as Basnayake Nilame and added it was a rare opportunity in life. "If not only religion but a segment of society is also embedded in that office' the Basnayake Nilame quipped with a smile. Elaborating on the functions of the Devale, Shashindra noted that 180 staffers were employed at the Devale.

"For the permanent employees I have given a housing scheme at a cost of nearly Rs. Five million with the help of donors, he pointed out.

Not stopping his community services at the Basnayake Nilame he had launched a development programme for the people at Sella-Kataragama to re-develop the Sella Bridge end of this year. The cost of the project is Rs. two million and the aid follows from the United states. "I also have a plan to build a museum plus Digital Information Centre for Kataragama with the help of the Norwegian Government. Special programme i am already doing for villages to develop their moral quality.

At the mean time with the help of village and temple we are conducting The Dharma school for children. "I have a good respond for those".

Shashindra said, that he is thoroughly enjoying this Basnayake Nilame position, and this is a rare opportunity one can get in their lives".

[email protected]