The famous Munneshwaram Festival

Munneshwaram is a very famous place in Sri Lanka. One of the most popular, ancient Hindu kovils is situated in Munneshwaram. It is only 1.7 kilometres away from Chilaw town. As I live in Chilaw town, it is very easy for me to go to see the festival.

This time I thought of writing about it as most of the readers haven't visited it as they live far away. This festival is highly celebrated by the Sri Lankans especially Hindus.

This is started at the beginning of August at an auspicious time, when they hoist the flag tree (kappa). After that day, daily in the month of August, they give services to God Shiva.

'Galmuruwa Perahera' is allocated for Sinhala Buddhist people. After 'Galmuruwa Perahera,' on the following day they
celebrate the ‘Walking on fire’ ceremony. All the ethnic groups believe that walking on fire is a way of thanksgiving to God Shiva.

On the same night, they dress statues of sixty-three Gods and keep them on a special cart called the 'Rathaya,' which is decorated very beautifully, and take the cart once around the kovil area to bless the place.

On the following day they dress God Nadeshan and keep the statue on the cart and do the same thing for the same reason. They believe that God Shiva, dressed as a beggar and came to the world one day. To mark this, people celebrate the 'Hingana Perahera' (Beggars' Perahera). The next day is a ceremony called 'Ramba videema.' They do this by shooting an arrow to a banana tree.

The next day they keep God Kali and God Shiva in one cart and five decorated carts follow the procession. God Kali is also referred to as 'God Amma.' It goes throughout the town and it is known to be the most grand day of all.

The next day which is the last day, they celebrate the 'Water Cutting' ceremony in Deduru Oya. Then people jump into the water and bathe there.

As many people come to this festival, they organise shops for people. I think this festival is a very interesting one.

Gimhani Waduge
(Grade 7)
Kid Reporter F 02
Carmel Girls' Central College, Chilaw