The annual Bellanwila Esala Perahera will parade the streets today. Since its commencement in 1950, this remarkable cultural and religious event has except on a few occasions taken to the streets in grandeur.
Ven. Dr. Boralesgamuve pemarathana thero explained the significant of the Bellanwila Esala perahera to Ziradaily. - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/i8vFwz9Ba2w2sGMg/?mibextid=xfxF2i
Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya
The Perahera which started as a ceremony to invoke blessings on people and their cattle in times of famine and epidemics in Bellanwila has gradually developed into a month of religious and cultural celebrations.
Bellanwila perahera
A concept introduced by the late Ven. Bellanwila Somarathana Thera and later nurtured into a majestic street pageant by Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera, it has come a long way and today operates under the able guidance of Ven. Bellanwila Dhammarathana Thera,
Chief Incumbent of the Bellanwila Temple and Chief Sanghanayake of Singapore. The Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya itself is well-known for its murals, the Bodhi tree as well as the image house. People visit this temple to invoke blessings. The temple has been a source of strength to residents in the area by providing a plethora of valuable services.
Bellanwila perahera
Bellanwila Esala Perahera
This majestic street pageant has come a long way, thanks to the guidance of Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Dhammaratana Nayake Thero, Chief Incumbent, Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya and Chief Sanghanayaka of Singapore, supported by the Vihardhikari, Dr Boralesgamuwe Pemaratana Thero, Upa Viharadhikari, Ven Bellanwila Sangharatana Thero, together with members of the Esala Perahera Committee, Dayaka Sabha and a host of donors and laymen across the country. It is also noteworthy to mention the memories of the late Ven (Prof) Bellanwila Wimalaratana Anu Nayake Thero who toiled tirelessly to elevate the standards of the pageant and the affairs at the temple until his tragic demise in 2018.
Bellanwila perahera
Bellanwila perahera
The annual ‹Punyothsawaya›, held parallel with the island›s most leading Esala festivals in Kandy, Kataragama, Dondra, etc begins with a preaching and an alms-giving at one of the most remote areas in the country where monks and the underprivileged are donated relief packs and a variety of essentials, including school accessories. This practice began after the demise of the architect of the contemporary revivalist, Ven Bellanwila Somaratana Nayake Thero in the year 1984, through which merits are transferred. This year›s pilgrimage occurred in Puliyankulama with the participation of more than 100 monks, from distant temples and monasteries. This program follows the conduct of three consecutive preaching sessions at the Bellanwila temple compound before the customary week-long ‹Pirith› chanting commences. It is followed by the Devadootha Perahera, Dorakada Asna, Kumbal Perahera, Mal Perahera, Paawada Perahera, Ransivili Perahera and the spectacular climax.Diya Kapana Perehera and Deva Daanaya including several rites and rituals bring the festival to its culmination.
Bellanwila Esala Perahera
Route map of the final randholi maha perahara (24th of August) of Bellanwila elsala perahera festival.
- getting out from the east entrance(wahalkada) of the temple,
- heading to the dehiwala-maharagama main road from the vihara mawatha,
- bellanthota junction,
- Again to the vihara mawatha from the pepiliyana area,
- Finally back in to the temple from the east entrance(wahalkada).
Bellanwila perahera
