Esala Perahara

The annual Esala Pageant popularly known as the Esala Perahara, held in the month of Esala (July - August) in Kandy needs no introduction to the Buddhist world. Originating from Indo-Aryan traditions, Esala festivities signify the victories of the mythical Hindu God Indra over the demon Vritra who prevented the burst of rain clouds. In fact Esala Perahara was originally a ritual invoking the blessings of the Gods to cause rainfall in the dry month. Later the Sinahla kings who possessed the sacred Tooth Relic coupled that event with the procession in honour of the sacred Tooth Relic, maintaining some of the ancient rituals of yore.

The sacred Tooth Relic was brought to Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka, from Kalinga during the reign of the King Kitsiri Mevan (A.D. 303 - 331). That was about 500 years since the arrival of Theri Sanghamitta and the planting of the sacred Bodhi Tree.

The Chinese Buddhist traveller Fa Hien given an account of the rituals associated with the sacred Relic when it was taken to Abhayagiri vihara for the annual festival during the month of Esala. The fourteenth century Sinhala text "Dalada Sirita" gives a vivid description of these rituals. There was a strong conviction particularly among Sinhala Buddhists that the legitimate claim for the Sinhala Throne could be made by the possessor of the sacred Tooth Relic. The belief that the sacred Tooth Relic was a harbinger of rain never diminished even after the British occupation of Kandy. When the perahara was suspended by the British rulers in 1815 a severe drought and a crop failure followed. Due to public protest the perahara was allowed. It was reported that torrential rains followed the initiation of perhara rituals. The author of Dāladā Sirita gives a vivid description of that event.

The perahara rituals begin with the planting of kap poles (about 60 cm in length cut from a lactiferous tree) within the premises of each dewale at an auspicious hour. Kapa symbolises god Indra and it is cut from a lactiferous tree to signify fertility and prosperity. When the kap-poles are brought to each Dewale they are placed on a clean mat where fresh mango and margosa leaves are spread. That ritual is associated with the Pattini cult. Goddess Pattini, according to mythical literature, was born out of a mango and her husband was killed under a margosa tree. When the kap poles are installed in each dewale premises the officiating priest (kapurāla) circumambulates the kap pole on three consecutive days carrying the insignia of the respective deity.

At the beginning for five days the procession is confined to the dewala premises. The second stage of the perahara is the Kumbal Perahara. Here the relic caskets along with such regalia traditionally associated with the ancient royalty of Kandy are taken out. The Relic Casket is taken out amidst the blowing of conch shells. A gaily decorated elephant carries the casket. The military loans a gun to the proceedings, which is fired when the Diyawadana Nilame takes his place in the procession.

The Diyawadana Nilame, according to historical traditions was the minister who supplied water to the King. The title "Nilame" was given to a Minister of the royal court. However a contrary view was held by some writers with regard to the duties of the Diyawadana Nilame. He was required to do everything within his capacity to ensure rain at the correct seasons. This conclusion was arrived at because there was another official in the royal palace with the title Ulpange Rala who made bathing facilities for the king.

The third stage of the perahara is the "Randoli" symbolizing the participation of the royalty in the procession. Randoli was the name of a special palanquin in which the Queen was taken. The perahara parades with full splendour at this stage.

The "water-cutting ceremony" marks the final stage of the perahara rituals. Only a section of the overnight procession accompanied by the kapuralas in charge of the four shrines of Natha, Vishnu,Katharagama and Pattini proceed to the ferry at Getambe and await the first light of the day for the performance of the ritual. When the first rays of sun fall they draw a circle in water with a sword. the water within that circle is taken to fill the pitchers.

Colombo

Colombo, city in western Sri Lanka and a major port near the mouth of the Kelani River. The commercial capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo is the largest city in the country and owes its importance largely to its great breakwaters, which give shelter to a large, artificially created harbor. Beira Lake, administratively part of the port of Colombo, is connected with the harbor by a canal and locks. Colombo handles most of the foreign trade of Sri Lanka and is an important fueling station. Manufactures of the city include metal goods, textiles, clothing, and chemicals. Sri Jayawardenepura (Kotte), the administrative capital of Sri Lanka, is on the outskirts of Colombo.

The business section of Colombo, called the Fort, occupies the sites of the former fortified area. Broad avenues and modern buildings contrast with the narrow, crooked streets and ramshackle structures of the Pettah quarter. Among the hospitals is the Pasteur Institution. Places of worship include Christian churches, Muslim mosques, and Buddhist temples. The University of Colombo (founded in 1967), Sri Lanka Technical College (1893), and other institutions of learning are located in the city. The early name of the city, Kalan-totta (Kelani ferry), derived from a nearby river ferry point, was corrupted into Kolambu by the Arabs and changed to Colombo in 1517 by the Portuguese in honor of Christopher Columbus. The city was taken by the Dutch in 1656 and by the British in 1796

Colombo Harbor

During the nineteenth century Colombo port acquired the sobriquet the "Charring Cross of the East" thanks to its location at the crossroads of Indian Ocean trade. Colombo has one of the world's largest man-made harbors. Most of Sri Lanka's foreign trade passes through the port equipped with modern facilities for containerized cargo.

Grand Oriental Hotel

The Harbor Room restaurant bar of the Grand Oriental Hotel opposite the entrance to the port affords marvelous views of the seaport. In 1890 an unknown Russian writer checked into the hotel. Anton Chekhov rose to fame following his tour in the Island. Your visit would provide you with ample material to sit tight & write for years, especially in a European perspective.

Fort, the heart of the Colombo

 

The area between Colombo harbor to the north & the urban lagoon Beira Lake to the south is today called Fort. The fortress is no longer in existence: built by the Portuguese, taken over by the Dutch, demolished by the British.

Cargill’s at Fort

The grand department store, colonial building of Cargill’s located in Fort, is overlooked by modern Colombo World Trade Centre. The Cargill’s was established to supply British planters & colonial administrators with every essential luxury.

40 story twin towers of the