13 August 2022 12:00 am Views - 447
By K.D. Devapriya, M. K. Nandasena
and Nimal Kolabissa
The Esala festival in Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala ended with the main procession on Thursday night (11) followed by the water cutting ceremony yesterday morning.
The main procession that arrived to Kirivehera Raja Maha, paid tributes under the royal proclamation of King Dutugemunu and proceeded to Valliamma Devala.
Basnayakae Nilame Dishan Gunasekara offered a part of the offerings in cash, received to the Maha Devala, to the Kirivehera Rajamaha Vihara under the royal proclamation.
Monaragala Government Agent and the Basnayake Nilame addressed the gathering and expressed their gratitude to the government institutions and the private sector organization that were instrumental in holding the festival.
Chief Incumbent of Kirivehera Rajamaha Vihara delivered an Anusasana.
The procession made its way to Valliamma Devala and after performing traditional rituals, returned to the Maha Devala. The final Randoli procession in the Kandy Esala festival paraded the streets on Thursday night (11). After the casket of relics was placed in Asgiriya Gedige temple, the water cutting rituals in the four Devalas took place. The main water cutting ceremony that marks the end of the Kandy Esala festival took place in the early hours of last morning in the Mahaweli river. A huge crowd of devotees was present at the occasion.