Bellanwila Esala Perahera ends today

BELLANWILA: The annual Esala Perahera festival at the historic Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya, founded under the auspices of the late Ven. Bellanwila Sri Somaratana Nayake Thera, ends today.

The climax of the festival, the Randoli Maha Perahera will parade along Maharagama-Dehiwala main road tonight through Nedimala junction, Pepiliyana road, Bellanthara road, Bellanwila junction and finally the Vihara premises across Sri Somaratana Mawatha and Vihara Mawatha at Bellanwila.

The festival began on August 5 with the traditional weeklong Pirith-chanting ceremony for the 57th time. The Kap-planting ceremony (the commencement of the festival) took place on August 08, followed by Dorakada Asna-Anushasana and Devadutha Perahera on August 11. The Kumbal Perahera was on August 12.

The Mal Perahera within the temple precincts was held afterwards for three consecutive days beginning August 13.

The traditional Pavada Perahera, in which relics casket and replicas of deities are taken in procession, was held on August 16, followed by the Ransivili Perahera, the following day.

The event is organised under the aegis of Ven. Bellanwila Dhammaratana Nayake Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Vihara and Ven Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera, the Viharadhikari.

The Diyakapana (water-cutting) ceremony and Diyakapana Perahera, followed by two Devadana offerings at Boralesgamuwa and Bellanwila Vihara premises, culminates this year's festivities at Bellanwila Raja Maha Vihara. This year's commemorative Dhamma preaching and alms-giving in memory of the late Ven. Bellanwila Sri Somaratana Nayaka Thera will take place at the temple premises early next month.