News
Stage set for Kandy Esala Perahera
By L.B. Seneratne
View(s): The first of the rituals connected with the Kandy Esala Perahera, that starts on August 1, took place yesterday at the auspicious time of 5 a.m. when a young jak plant (kap) was obtained from a tree at the Dedimunda Devale in Aluthnuwara,
The Basnayake Nilame of the Maha Vishnu and Alutnuwara Devales Mohan Panabokke handed over the traditional silver axe to the vannaku rala to cut the young plant.
The Kap was blessed at the Dedimunda Devale before it was brought to Kandy to be distributed to the four main devales, – Maha Vishnu, Natha, Katargama and Pattini. The kap planting ceremony took place today at 8 a.m.
 The vannaku rala cutting the jak tree |
 Mohan Panabokke hands over the silver axe |