The water-cutting ceremony of the Kandy Esala Perahera was held according to ancient rituals at Gatambe water-cutting pier yesterday.
After completion of the last Randoli Maha Perahera, the Sathara Maha Devala perahera heads to the Gatambe water cutting pier and perform the water cutting festival by sending afloat the Kap trees planted in each of the four devalas at the time the Perahera festival commenced in the Mahaweli river.
The four devala priests went to the middle of the Mahaweli River and carry out the ritual of cutting the water and keeping the water collected in a container until the end of the next year’s Perahera festival.
Sri Lanka Navy assisted the conduct of traditional water-cutting ceremony of Sri Dalada Perahara at Gatambe on the morning of today (31st August 2023). As the grand procession (Esala Maha Perahera) of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and 04 Main Devalayas came to an end, this time-honoured ceremony also known as ‘Diya Kepeema’ was performed, on a ritualistic note.
The Sri Lanka Navy, under the supervision of SLNS Shilpa in the Western Naval Command deployed teams of Navy divers and Rapid Response Rescue and Relief Squadron (4RS) personnel and provided small boats and lifesaving services for the safe execution of water-cutting ceremony. Courtesy: Sri Lanka Navy
water cutting ceromancy
Water Cutting ceremony
Water Cutting ceremony
Water Cutting ceremony
Water Cutting ceremony
Water Cutting ceremony
Water Cutting ceremony
Water Cutting ceremony
