Sri Pada pilgrim season ends

• Avoid Sri Pada pilgrimages during off season- Chief Incumbent 
• Restricting off season visits to Sri Padasthana was a focal point of the meeting

By Ajithlal Shanthaudaya and Ranjith Rajapakse   

Sri Pada pilgrim season 2022/2023 is scheduled to end on  Vesak full moon Poya day on May 05 after the processions with the caskets of relics, the statues of the God and regalia are taken through four routes to Galpottawala Rajamaha Vihara.   

The meeting to make arrangements to end the pilgrim season was held yesterday at the Nallathanniya Grama Niladhari Office under the Chairmanship of Chief Incumbent of Sri Padasthana Ven. Bengamuwe Dhammadinna Thera.   

 The Ven. Thera said pilgrims would be permitted to pay homage to the Sri Pada till the end of the Vesak full moon Poya day and on May 06, the caskets of sacred relics, the statues of the God Sumana Saman, and the regalia would be taken in four processions through Ratnapura Rajamawatha, Ratnapura Kuruvita route, Nallathanniya Bagawanthalawa route, and Nallathanniya – Laxapana- Awissawella route to Galpotthawala Rajamaha Vihara in Pelmadulla.   

 Restricting off season visits to Sri Padasthana was a focal point of the meeting. 

 
Ven. Dhammadinna Thera requested people to refrain from off season visits to Sri Pada and said anyone desirous of off season visits to take only the Hatton route with permission from the Nallathanniya police and not to cause any environmental damage during such visits.   

.Nuwara Eliya District Secretary Nandana Galaboda, Divisional Secretary Ruwani Sithara Gamage, senior military officers including Commanding officer of the Laxapana Army camp Mjr. Gihan Bandara, Hatton SP H.M.N.Dehigama were present on the occasion.