Bellanwila Esala Perahera:

An exclusive cultural pageant

Sasthrapati Boralasgamuwe Pemaratane Thera, Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharadhipathi

The Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya holds a prominent place as a sacred area among Viharas in the Western Province from the days of King Devanam Piyathissa. It was late Ven. Bellanwila Sri Somaratana Thera who was the live-wire behind the present resurgence of this Raja Maha Viharaya which was rediscovered by Ven. Thengodagedara Thera. Today this viharaya has become an important place revered by Buddhists and non-Buddhists in Sri Lanka and abroad.

The unique features appearing here such as the Bodhi Tree from an offshoot of Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura, the Vihara Mandiraya built in accordance with Polonnaruwa Vihara traditions and the murals depicting Buddhist character have won the hearts and minds of everybody.

It was the intention of the late Thera to make this Viharaya also as a centre open to education, arts and culture from its outlook as a mere religious centre. As a result, late Ven. Bellanwila Sri Somaratana Thera was able to produce a group of people well endowed with creative faculties and talents who could meet the needs of the society and religion. It was later resulted in the successful creation of the present Bellanwila Esala Perahera - a leading cultural pageant of Sri Lanka today. This Perahera found its origin in 1956 to invoke blessings on the country and the area and is holding its 59th session this time.

The Perahera was inaugurated with focus on religious rituals in line with Kandy Dalada Perahera and has the unique feature of holding ceremonies without the leadership of a Basnayake Nilame in keeping with the Nindagam Rajakari System.

Since this Perahera is held with focus and priority on ancient traditional rituals it cannot be considered a normal perahera ceremony. The chief incumbent and his deputies have been able to organize this Esala Perahera.