Sunday Times 2
Culture and tradition on parade
View(s):The annual Kelaniya Duruthu Maha Perahera 2014 was successfully held this week from Sunday, January 12 to Tuesday January 14, with dancers, drummers and elephants making their way in stately procession from the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara around the Kelaniya sacred city. The perahera is held to commemorate the third visit of Thathagatha Gautama Buddha to Sri Lanka to resolve the conflicts of the ‘Yakka’ tribe. The perahera is also considered a way of invoking blessings on the country and its people.
Sanctified by Lord Buddha’s visit, Kelaniya is regarded as a significant place for Lankan Buddhists. The first Duruthu Perehara was held in 1927 with the guidance of Ven. Mapitigama Buddharakkhita Thera, the then chief incumbent of the temple with the assistance of philanthropist Mrs Helena Wijewardene.
This spectacular pageant now takes the form of a ‘Maha Perahera’ with ‘Devala processions’ and is now an amalgamation of Dhathu (Relic) perahera, Vishnu- Katharagama perahera and the Vibhishana perahera.
This year too, the Randoli Maha Perahera held on the 14th saw the participation of Kandyan, Southern and Sabaragamuwa dancing troupes, and other cultural and traditional items.
Pix by Romesh Danushka Silva and Nirmala Danujaya
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