SLI assists pilgrims during Kandy, Katharagama Perahera

Sri Lanka’s two cultural master pieces, the Kandy Esala Perahera and the Kathragama Perahera with all its grandeur was seen once again livening up the hills and the deep south of the country last week, attracting the attention of all arts and culture lovers from around the world who gathered in Kandy and Kathargama to witness these majestic pageants each with its own mystic tale from the past.

Sri Lanka Insurance (SLI) as the largest and the strongest government insurer in the country takes upon itself the responsibility to nurture and protect the rich heritage and rituals of the Sri Lankan people to be handed down to the future generations of Sri Lankans.

As such Sri Lanka Insurance was seen once again providing a special service for the benefit of pilgrims who visited Kandy and Katharagama during the perehera season by extending the “Ira Handa Pavathina Thuru” personal accident cover amounting to Rs 50,000/- for all pilgrims who gather to witness the Perahera.

In addition Sri Lanka Insurance Motor Plus vehicle breakdown assistance and recovery service too was geared up in Kandy and Katharagama to provide assistance to all pilgrims who faced difficulties due to vehicle breakdown. This service was offered to all vehicle users and was not limited only to Sri Lanka Insurance Motor Plus policy holders.

According to the Mahavamsa, The origins of the kandy regal pageant dates back to the time the Sacred Tooth Relic was brought to Ceylon in the reign of King Kirthisiri Meghawanna who ruled at Anuradhapura from 303 - 331 A.D., It is stated that Sacred tooth relic was placed in a casket made of Phalika (Steatire or Soapstone) and lodged in an edifice called the Dharma-Chakra built by King Devanampiyatissa in the third century B.C.

The Mahavamsa goes on to say that 900,000 Kahapanas (a great sum of money) were spent in celebrating the festival in honour of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the King Kirthisiri Meghawanna announced that the Relic should be taken round the city of Anuradhapura once a year in spring.

There is evidence to show that his order was faithfully carried out by those Kings who followed in their respective kingdoms, until it rested in Kandy during period of Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. The age old pageant is preserved to date with all it’s magnificence and grace.

It is stated in history that the story of Katharagama festivities has its roots to the culmination of the mystical romance shared by Lord Skanda and his love Walli, a human daughter belonging to the Veddah tribe.

The ancient ritual of the Katharagama Prahera is in tribute to the marriage that took place between a God and a humane damsel and is celebrated by Buddhists and Hindus alike.