CultureTV's video: KELANIYA DURUTHU PERAHERA 2020

Annual Kelani Duruthu Maha Perahera held under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa The Annual Duruthu Perahera of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara culminates today January 9, being the final day of the annual pageant which commenced on January 7. The historic Kelaniya Duruthu Maha Perahera had its origins in the year 1927, due largely to the efforts of that great Philanthropist Don Walter Wijewardene, son of Helena Wijewardene Lamathani of Sedawatte. This Religious Cultural pageant has evolved over the years to become the country’s most elaborate and grandest low country pageant in its category. Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara is the most sacred temple in the Western Province of Sri Lanka since Lord Buddha’s sojourn here during his 3rd historic visit to Sri Lanka. This event is celebrated annually on the “Duruthu Poya” in January, when a historic, traditional and cultural pageant, the “Kelani Perahera” is conducted. Whilst the Kelani Perahera commemorates the religious significance of Lord Buddha’s visit, it also supports and revives Sri Lanka’s cultural traditions of drummers, dancers, singers, caparisoned elephants and colourful parades, which have always made this culminating perahera a night of all nights. The Perahera will commence with the handing over the relic casket to Chief Basnayake Nilame, Dhammika Attygalle by the Viharadhipathi, Ven Professor Kollupitiya Mahinda Sangharakkita Nayake Thera. The Annual Duruthu Perahera of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara culminates today January 9, being the final day of the annual pageant which commenced on January 9 The Peraheras of the three devalas dedicated to Lord Vibishana, Lord Vishnu and Lord Kataragama is followed by the main Sacred Relics Perehera. The Basnayake Nilames of the respective devalas are Messrs. Lalith Hapangama, Jayaraja Chandrasekera and Samantha Perera. The Perahera is organised under the guidance of Ven Professor Kollupitiya Mahinda Sangharakkita Nayake Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara and Dr. Saman Weerasinghe the newly elected president of Vihara’s Dayaka Sabha. The Perahera will commence at 8.00 p.m. Arrangements have been made in association with the Sri Lanka Tourist Promotions Bureau and Tourist Development Authority for tourists eager to acquaint themselves with the majesty and splendour of Sri Lanka’s cultural facets such as this Historic Perahera, by having a special enclosure for them to view the Perahera. The perahera will commence with the handing over the relic casket to Chief Basnayake Nilame Dhammika Attygalle by the Viharadhipathi Ven. Prof. Kollupitiya Mahinda Sangharakkhita Nayake Thera. Three Devala Peraheras will follow the main Sacred Relics Perehera. They are the perahera of the Devalas of Lord Vibishana, Lord Vishnu and Lord Kataragama. The Basnayake Nilames of the respective Devala Peraheras. The perahera will commence at 8.00 pm. This year too special effort is being made to focus on tourists eager to acquaint themselves with the majesty and splendour of Sri Lanka’s cultural facets such as this historic perahera. The Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya is the most sacred temple in the Western Province since Lord Buddha’s sojourn here during his third historic visit to Sri Lanka. The temple celebrates this event annually on Duruthu Poya in January by conducting a historic, traditional and cultural pageant, the ‘Kelani Perahera’. Whilst the Perahara commemorates the religious significance of Lord Buddha’s visit, it also supports and revives Sri Lanka’s cultural traditions of drummers, dancers, singers, caparisoned elephants and colourful parades, which have always made this event a night of all night. The “Udamaluwa Perahera” which is the first day procession is held in the upper terrace area of the Kelaniya Temple. Here the Dathu Perahera is conducted in a small scale with only a few elephants, whip crackers, fire dancers, flag bearers, dancers and drummers. The “Pahatha Maluwa Perahera” which is the second day procession is more colourful and elaborate than the first with the Dathu Perahera leading and the three Devala Peraheras trailing behind.The Perahera is headed by whip-crackers who herald the approach of the procession. Then comes the fire-ball performers, followed by a large number of elephants and tuskers carrying the sacred relic casket and dressed in shiny attire, flag bearers, drummers, dancers, Buddhist monks, chief incumbents of the temple, attendants and village folk who have strived to make the festivities a success. The entire length of the procession is illuminated by torches and decorated with colourful banners and flags that displays religious insignia relevant to each temple and devalas which are associated with the Duruthu Perahera. The procession returns to the temple, after travelling the entire length of the marked route while a cannon booms to indicate the closing ceremony of this grand pageant.