Final Grand Procession of Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Esala Perahera Takes Place Tonight

This year, a change has been made to the traditional procession route. The Perahera will commence from the Seth Pirith chanting center and proceed through the second Wahalkada (ceremonial gate) to the Kiri Vehera Rajamaha Viharaya. It will then continue through the Devalaya premises and exit via the main Wahalkada gate, before heading along the outer road to the Walliamma Devalaya.

Following the completion of religious rituals at the Walliamma shrine, the Perahera will return along the main road, passing significant landmarks such as the Sri Abhinawarama Temple and the Basnayake Nilame’s office, before arriving back at the Maha Devalaya. This final segment signifies the formal conclusion of the Esala Perahera festival for the year.

The sacred Diya Kepima (water-cutting ceremony), a key ritual of the Esala season, is scheduled to take place tomorrow morning (11th) at the Jeewamali ferry point on the banks of the Manik Ganga (Manik River), further concluding the religious observances.

Thousands of devotees and spectators are expected to witness the grand finale of this centuries-old cultural and spiritual tradition.