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One of the most important aspects of the Kataragama festival is the Pada Yatra. It is a walk of faith by devotees who travel from Jaffna to the island’s southern coast in time for the Kataragama Perahera.
As a testament to their profound belief, the pilgrims, men, women and children go on this spiritual voyage, walking through the East Coast jungles and dry land with only the bare necessities. The pilgrims went to the Kataragama holy city to participate in the festival. One of the most striking features of the Kataragama are the children of different ages who are accompanied by their parents. Here Junior Observer captured the moods of these children.
Text and pix: Mahil Wijesinghe
