The Annual Esala perahera is a grand religious festival held in Sri Lanka in keeping with ancient customs and traditions. There are three main Esala peraheras in the country – Kandy (Sri Dalada Maligawa), Kataragama (Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya) and Ratnapura (Maha Saman Devalaya).
All arrangements were made to hold the 796th Esala Festival at the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya, in a grand manner this year but due to Covid-19 restrictions spectators were not allowed to visit the Ratnapura city to watch the colourful parade.
After planting the Kap on September 8, the Kumbal perahera, the street perahera was conducted on September 12. The Maha perahera paraded the streets on September 16 and the festival will end with the water-cutting ceremony on September 21.
The perahera festival was held under the patronage of Sabaragamuwa Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, under the supervision of Ratnapura District Secretary Malani Lokupothagama and the Basnayake Nilame of the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya, Migara Jayasundara.
The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) is the print media sponsor of this year’s Esala perahera of the Ratnapura Maha Saman Devalaya.