By K. D. Devapriya – Kataragama   

The traditional Kap planting ceremony for the 2021 Esala festival of the historic Ruhunumaha Kataragama Devalaya was held at the auspicious time of 4.45 a.m. yesterday.   

Basnayaka Nilame of Ruhunumaha Kataragama Devalaya, Dishan Gunasekara said that the Esala festival starting on 10 July would end on 25 July.   

The Chief Sharman of the Devalaya, Somipala T. Rathnayaka said that the Kap planting ceremony commemorates the marriage between God Kataragama and Goddess Walli following the tradition of planting kap at an auspicious time prior to setting the Magul Maduwa for traditional marriages. 

 
Only the Basnayaka Nilame Dishan Gunasekara, several Sharmans and staff members of the Dewalaya were present for the ceremony.