Commemorating Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka

The annual Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera of the historic Kelaniya Raja MahaViharaya which started on January 8, will have its Grand Duruthu Maha Perahera today, January 10, commencing at 8.00 pm.

- By Gamini Jayasinghe

Dancers looking resplendant during the pageant

With the start of the New Year in January, the city of Kelaniya gets ready for the festive season of Kelaniya temple. Initiated largely due to the efforts of philanthropist Don Walter Wijewardene, son of Helena Wijewardene of Sedawatte Walawwa, the first Perahera was held in 1927; traditionally, the historical Kelaniya Duruthu Maha Peraherais is held annually on three consecutive days.

Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera is second in splendour only to the Sri Dalada Maligawa Esala Perahera in the hill capital of Kandy. This is the most colorful and popular low country procession in Sri Lanka, heralding in the New Year according to the Gregorian and Julian calendars. Hundreds of thousands of people throng the sacred town of Kelaniya to watch the colourful pageant with elephants and dancers including Kandyan dancers, low country dancers and Sabaragamuwa dancers, drummers, whip crackers, torch bearers and acrobats followed by a large number of devotees dressed in white.