Bellanvila Esala festival held on Saturday

By H.M.Dharmapala and Kusal Chamath   

 The Randoli procession of the historic Bellanvila Rajamaha Vihara Esala festival paraded the streets on Saturday night. It was a grand cultural pageant that included performance of upcountry, low country and Sabaragamuwa dancing groups and other artistes.   Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala tusker “ Wasana” carried the casket of Sacred Relics flanked by other tuskers carrying the statues of Gods.  

Mahasangha including Chief Incumbent of the temple. Ven. Bellanvila Dhammarathana Thera and lay devotees President of the Esala Festival Committee H.D.Premasiri, Leader of the Opposition in the Dehiwala – Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Sunethra Ranasinghe and members of the Dayaka Sabha were present at the occasion.