Navam Perahera: Colombo’s leading religious and cultural pageant begins Wednesday
View(s):The Navam Maha Perahera is organised by the Hunupitiya Gangarama Viharaya, under the guidance of the Chief Incumbent Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera. The perahera arrangements are handled by the young people associated with the Gangarama temple including the students of Sri Jinaratana Vocational Training Institute at Hunupitiya.
Ven. Palatuwe Jinaratana Thera, resident at Gangarama Viharaya and the principal of the Sri Jinaratana Technical College, speaking about the Perahera this year said, “There will be cultural performances and lots of foreigners from countries like China, Japan and Thailand who are also devout dayakas (patrons) of the temple are expected to see the perahera.”
According to the Sinhala calendar, February is the month of Navam. This year, since Navam full moon poya fell on January 31, in the month of Duruthu, the Navam Maha Perahera of Gangarama Viharaya was originally planned to be held on Navam poya day. As the annual Duruthu Perahera of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya took place at the end of January, therefore the Navam Maha Perahera was rescheduled on February 28 and March 1, the later being Medin full moon Poya.
According to Buddhist literature it was on a Navam full moon poya that Lord Buddha appointed his two chief disciples- Sariputta and Moggallana. Also the first ever Buddhist Council of 500 senior monks, held to preserve Lord Buddha’s sayings and monastic discipline is believed to have taken place on a Navam full moon poya at the Saptaparni Cave, Rajgir, India. Thus, the Navam Perahera is held in the month of Navam to obtain blessings on the country for success, prosperity and happiness.
Even though the Navam Perahera is predominantly a religious event, the occasion is a platform to witness traditional dances and performances unique to Sri Lanka. This year more than 3,000 dancers and performers are expected to add variety and colour to the procession. Dancing groups from all around the island will perform Udarata natum (Kandyan dance), Pahatharata natum (Low country dance) and Sabaragamu natum (Sabaragamu dance) which are the three main styles of Sri Lankan classical dance.
The pageant will also feature drummers who will use the traditional drums such as the Gata Bera, Yak Bera, Thammattama, Daula, Rabana and Udakkiya culminating with the sounds of Hornewa, Pantheru and Talampota.
The highlight of the Navam Maha Perahera is the sight of the majestic tusker carrying the relic casket. Around 50 elephants and tuskers from the Dalada Maligawa, Raja Maha Viharayas of Kotte, Kelaniya and Bellanwila, will arrive at the Gangarama Viharaya, the day before the Navam Perahera. The tuskers of the Dalada Maligawa, ‘Indiraja’ and ‘Migara’ are expected to be granted the privilege of carrying the relic casket this year. ‘Ganga’, the baby elephant of Gangarama temple will also take part in the pageant.
The ‘Mal Perahera’ (flower pageant) is being held to coincide with the Navam Maha Perahera. A ‘Sathi Pirith Pinkama’ (chanting of Pirith for one week) is also being held at the Seema Malakaya of Gangarama temple to obtain blessings for all the performers, elephants and the devotees who come to witness the perahera.
The Navam Maha Perahera of Gangarama temple was started in 1979. With the patronage of then Prime Minister, R. Premadasa, the chief incumbent Ven. Devundara Vacissara Thera with his pupil, Ven. Galboda Gnanissara Thera developed the Gangarama Viharaya and the Navam Maha Perahera on a grand scale.
Mal Perahera is on
‘The Mal Perahera’ which began on February 21 will parade the streets until Tuesday (February 27) from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
‘Sathi Pirith Pinkama’ will also continue until Tuesday.
The Navam Maha Perahera will take place on February 28 and March 1 at 7 p.m.
The perahera which begins at Slave Island junction, Sir James Peiris Mawatha will wind its way through W.A.D. Ramanayake Mawatha via Sri Jinaratna Road to the Gangaramaya temple.
Pix by Amila Gamage