Significance of Navam Perahera

A reflection of cultural diversity, it included both Hindu and Muslim traditional dances:

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

The Navam Perahera of the Gangaramaya Temple will be the cynosure of all eyes for the next two days and is a reflection of Sri Lanka's cultural diversity as it includes Muslim and Hindu traditional dances. It showcases the rich religious and cultural traditions of Sri Lanka and is hailed as a momentous occasion. The Perahera is an annual event held in the heart of Colombo city.

Vibrant performance of Upcountry, Lowcountry and Sabaragamuwa dancing traditions are on show.

A large number of caparisoned tuskers and elephants parade the streets adding a touch of grandeur to the event.

Gangaramaya Temple's resident Bhikkhu, Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera said the Navam Perahera will parade the streets for two days - on February 21 and 22 at 7.30 p.m. and that over 100 cultural items with over 5000 artistes and dancers will participate, he said.

The present Chief Incumbent and the Chief Sanghanayaka of Colombo Nawa Korala Dr.Ven. Galboda Sri Gnanissara Nayaka Thera popularly known as 'Podi Hamuduruwo' launched the Perahera in 1979 under the patronage of the then Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa. This year President Maithripala Sirisena will initiate the Perahera today and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will initite it tomorrow.

"The concept of peraheras could be traced to Indian society, even before the advent of the Buddha. Navam Poya was significant because Arahants Sariyuth and Mughalan were made chief disciples of the Master on that day. The Buddha also preached the 'Ovada Praathi Mokshaya', a code of disciplinary conduct for bhikkhus on this day. The first 'Sangha Sannipatha'- first Assembly of 1,250 Arahanths at Rajagaha Nuwara was held on Navam Poya day. Navam Poya's significance is further enhanced in view of the Buddha's prophesy of his passing away within three months," he said.

The pioneer Buddhist reformer, language and literature revivalist and architect of Vidyodaya Maha Pirivena, the Most Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera had his pupillary succession at the Gangaramaya Temple. At that time too, a perahera was organised at the Gangaramaya Temple by its Chief Incumbent Ven. Devundara Jinarathana Nayaka Thera who successfully carried forward the mission of Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera, but the perahera was conducted during the month of Esala and later stopped due to various reasons. The Navam Perahera is a reflection of national unity and religious reconciliation. All communities who live in Colombo and the suburbs contribute in various forms towards the Perahera. Students of the Jinarathana Technical College also play a vital role.

Ven. Assaji Thera said "We are a multi-cultural nation with Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic cultures. Peraheras originated from the village temple and is a basic feature of Buddhist culture. Buddhism and Hinduism are based on non-violence. No religion needs to enlighten us on human kindness because Buddhism is based on it. Concerns have been raised about using elephants in peraheras. But these are cultural traditions practised over the years. We should preserve our cultural traditions. In Buddhist culture, an elephant is considered a precious animal and parading it in a perahera is not a harassment at all. A few pseudo-organisations have taken the lead in animal protection. These organisations depend on foreign funding and make a hue and a cry about the issue. There are a few women who claim to be animal lovers and raise issues about using animals in peraheras . They cannot change the traditional practices in the country, according to their whims and fancies," he said. Pix: Ranjith Asanka