Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera from 7-8 January

The annual Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara will be held on 7, 8 and 9 January. The historic Kelaniya Duruthu Maha Perahera has its origins in the year 1927, largely due to the efforts of that great philanthropist Don Walter Wijewardene, son of Helana Wijewardene, Lamathani of Sedawatte.

This religious cultural pageant has evolved over the years to become the country’s grandest and most elaborate low country pageant in its category. Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya 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. It celebrates this event annually in the “Duruthu Poya” during January, by conducting a historic, traditional, and cultural pageant, the “Kelani Perahera”. 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 event a night of all nights.

Meticulous attention has been paid to all details with the objective of perpetuating the traditional rites, rituals, and customs long associated with this magnificent pageant.

The Perahera will commence with the handing over the relic casket to Chief Basnayake Nilame Dhammika Attygalle by the Viharadhipathi (Chief Incumbent) Ven. Professor Kollupitiya Mahinda Sangharakkita Nayaka Thero.

There are three Devala Peraheras following after the main Sacred Relics Perahera. They are: Lord Vibishana, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Kataragama. The Basnayake Nilames of the respective Devala Peraheras are Lalith Hapangama, Jayaraja Chandrasekera, and Samantha Perera. The Perahera is organised under the guidance of Chief Incumbent Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya Ven. Professor Kollupitiya Mahinda Sangharakkita Nayaka Thero, and newly elected President of Kelaniya Dayaka Sabha Dr. Saman Weerasinghe.

The Perahera will commence at 8.00 pm. This year, too, a 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. There will be a special enclosure for tourists to view the perahera, in association with the Sri Lanka Tourist Promotions Bureau and Tourist Development Authority.

During the Duruthu Perahera, the illumination of Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya premises will be sponsored by Thilakawardane Textiles (Kiribathgoda) Chairman Sunil Thilakawardane.