Reporting from the spot at Kandy – By L.B.Senaratne
The Cynosure of the first Kumbala Perahera was “Indi-Raja” flanked by Myan Raja and “Kamdula ” ( from Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihare ) in the ancient ritual of the Kandy Esala Ritual, which had 59 elephants and 15 of them were tuskers from the Sri Dalada Maligawa Tusker stables comencing from the 21st August 2023. It will continue till the 31st August and ends with the water cutting ceremony.
The first Perhera which is termed “Kumbal” is the first of the series running for 12 days commencing at 7.10 in the night and running till around 11 p,m
The ritual beginings with the sounding of a Cannon Boom from an ancient cannon, when the other Perahera’s from the Devales ( abode of three Gods, Sri Maha Vishnu, Natha, Kataragama and Goddess Pathini alligns itself to follow the Sri Dalda Maligawa Perhera which heads the ritual.
It was only in 1753 that the Sri Dalada Malgawa Perahera was included inthe original Perahera which was for the Gods and the Goddess in the ancient Captial of the Kandyan Kingdom.
The first Perahera according to historical records was for God Natha who is accepted to be the next Buddha or Maithri Buddha. God Natha has nor form and he had come into the country or had been in the country long beofe the Gods had been accepted by the people of the Lanka.
However, the Kandy Esala ritual beginings with the entry into the streets with the Capronised Tusker carrying the Gold Karanduwa ( casket ) carrying relics ( Not the Sacred Tooth Relic ) along the route as dictated by the Diyawadna Nilame- the Lay custodian of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, who presently is Pradeep Nilanga Dela.
Though the streets win which the Perahera proceeds is indicated earleir the right to change the route lies with the Diyawadana Nilame.
Five Thousand Police Officers are on the route during this season and they check all devotees who enter the area for secutity reasons. No one is allowed to carry any material into the area even a Cigarette lighter. They are very tight on the check.
The first Kumbal or in the first Perahera it was ” Indi Raja ” – a gift of Prime Minsiter Indira Ghandhi that carried the Sacred Karanduwa or the Casket, He was flanked by two other Tuskers “Miyan Raja ” ( another gift from Burma ) and ” Kandula ” ( from the Raja Maha Viahare of Kelaniya )
The photographs shows the Tusker Indi-Raja coming down the steps from the Mahawhalkada ( main entrance to the ancient shrine) to commence the Perahera ritual and the four Devale Perahera’s of God Natha, Sri Maha Vishnu,Kataragama and Goddess Pathini followed.
Indi Raja was draped with a light yellow and green flowered drfess with gold thread work.
Ther photograph also shows the milling crowd which had gathered from early morning on the route. It is considered that the first Perahera or Kumbal Perhaera brings special blessing on children and especially on pregnant mothers.
The other is the milling crowds.
(Background of L.B.Senaratne ( Gold awardee from the SL Press Insitute4 and the State Aawardee of ‘ Kalabushana ‘ carring the title ” Deshabandu Madiyasuri “)
