Adivasi splendour at Mahiyangana perahera

It was the day of the annual perahera of the Mahiyangana Raja Maha Vihara. The procession began around eight p.m. The atmosphere was pepped up by the chilly breeze from the distant range of rocks. The precincts of the Vihara was illuminated with thousands of sparkling electric bulbs. Around three o’clock in the morning the Aadivasis thronged the Vihara. They carried with them the customary bow, arrow and axe – their armoury.