Marking Lord Buddha’s visit and reviving our cultural traditions
The annual Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara will be held on January 20, 21 and 22. The perahera had its origins in 1927 largely due to the efforts of philanthropist Don Walter Wijewardene, son of Helena Wijewardene Lamathani and has evolved over the years to become the most elaborate low country pageant.
The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihare is the most sacred temple in the Western Province, hallowed by Lord Buddha’s sojourn here during his historic third visit to the island. The perahera is held annually during the Duruthu Poya in January.
While the Kelani perahera commemorates the religious significance of Lord Buddha’s visit, it also supports and revives Sri Lanka’s cultural traditions of dancers, drummers, singers, caparisoned elephants and colourful parades.
Meticulous attention has been paid to all details with the objective of perpetuating the traditional customs and rituals associated with this pageant.
The perahera will commence with the handing over of the Relic casket to the Chief Basnayake Nilame Dhammika Attygalle by the Viharadhipathy Ven. Professor Kollupitiye Sangharakkita Nayake Thera.
The perahera this year is organised under the guidance of the President Dayaka Sabha, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
There are three devale peraheras after the main Sacred Relics Perahera- Lord Vibishana, Lord Vishnu and Lord Kataragama.
The Basnayake Nilames of the respective devale peraheras are Lalith Hapangama, Jayaraja Chandrasekera and Samantha Perera.
The perahera will begin at 8 p.m. Special efforts are being made to enable tourists to view the perahera and a special enclosure is being built for them in association with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.
The Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya illumination will be sponsored by Thilakawardene Textiles, Kiribathgoda.