Sri Lanka’s longest consecutive pilgrimage season in Sri Lanka, known as the Sri Pada pilgrimage season, begins on the full moon day of Unduwap. The pilgrimage season, which begins on the full moon day of the Unduwap Poor, lasts for six months until the Vesak Poya day on the following year, with many rituals and rituals associated with it.
Traditionally, the pilgrimage season begins on the full moon day of Unduwap Poor, but the rituals and rituals associated with it begin only two days before the Unduwap Poya.
The statue of Lord Sumana Saman who is on his way to Sri Pada is placed in the Sri Pada Raja Maha Viharaya in Galpottewela, Pelmadulla for a period of six months.
In the era of Dambadeniya, a wooden statue of the god Sumana Saman, made by minister Devapathiraja in gambling sandalwood, was placed in a special glass jar and placed in a security room at the Galpottewela temple.
Sri Pada Nayaka Thera The chief Sri Pada staff is meeting at the Galpottewela temple in Pelmadulla the day before the pooja. The buildings, dagobas and security walls of the Galpothawela temple have already been cleaned and cleaned up by the donors of Satara Peru.
The Buddhist monks and the staff of Sri Pada have a special discussion at the Galpothawela Viharaya. It is about the work that will be done the next day and what is needed. The Sri Pada staff includes the Thera, the Hevisi players and other caretakers of the Udamaluwe Thewa. This group is about 20 people.
Following this special discussion, work on the commencement of the pilgrimage season will commence and a special Hewisi chant will be held at the Galpottewela Viharaya. It is called the Evening Distance.
Later in the night there will be a thirty-night Pirith Chanting Ceremony in a Pirith chapel in front of the special stall where the statue of Sumana Saman is placed. Ven. Udama Maluwe Thera, the Chief Prelate and the Maha Sangha.
Just a few hours before dawn, the doors of the Safe Room mentioned at the outset are opened by Chief Kapu of the Saman Devalaya in front of the Sri Pada Nayaka Thera. Mr. Kapu then sprinkled the milk to the place where the god is coming from, amidst a drum beat. Another interesting feature is that this is a traditional drummer from Sabaragamuwa.
Amidst the chanting of ‘Seth Pirith’ of the Maha Sangha, a carcass with a statue of the god Sumana Saman is placed on a table littered with other sacred objects and only the Sri Pada staff are present. Devotees of Sesu will not get a chance to see them. After the rituals of the offering of deities, the Maha Sangha are placed in the Panchashilaya of the Tirana.
Then the Seth Pirith sermon will resume, with the opening of the special chanting. Afterwards, devotees who come here will have the rare opportunity of seeing the idol of Lord Sumana Saman placed in the Saman Devalaya in Uda Maluwa. It is significant that the first Kapu of the Saman Devalaya in Sri Pada Udamaluwe is the first to be held.
The Maha Sangha also distribute pirith and pirith threads to those present after the pooja. It is during this time that the devotees attain the blessings of Sumana Saman by attesting sacred rituals, panduras and vows.
After the rituals, the Saman Devaraya Manjuosa, Sadhthukatu casket, the two Koths and other offerings are completely covered with gambling. At the auspicious time of the occasion, the sacred rituals of the temple are placed in a beautifully decorated car in the midst of the five-pound rhythm. As the sun rises, the procession carrying sacred cargo leaves for the Rathnapura Maha Saman Devalaya.
The business community in Pelmadulla has also taken part in a religious ceremony in the city. Amidst the rituals of devotees gathering along the road, the procession will reach the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya at around 8.30 am. Kapu Gentlemen of the sacred shrines of Pavada and Uduviyan are brought into the Saman Devalaya. The Basnayake Nilame of the Saman Devalaya welcomes him after he enters the Perahera. The rituals, including the special pooja, are performed during the Maha Devalaya. The chief incumbent of the Maha Sangha, Ven. It is a traditional ritual, where all the travelers in the procession are treated with cakes, kiribaths, etc.
The vehicle which starts from Saman Devalaya will reach Nallathanni via Kuruwita, Eheliyagoda, Avissawella, Yatiyantota, Ginigathena, Kitulgala and Hatton at night when it is dark. Thousands of devotees gather on either side of the road in the procession and are able to offer sacrifices to the statue of Samandevi. They also offer sweets, milk tea and coffee soft drinks to those who pass by. The sacred customs and treats of the Tamil devotees in Hatton town are stunning.
