The annual Duruthu Maha Perahera Festival of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara will commence on January 8 on a grand scale.
A meeting of the Dayaka Saba of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara to discuss initial arraignments of the annual Duruthu Maha Perahera was held yesterday under the patronage of Chief Incumbent of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara Most Ven. Prof. Kollupitiya Mahinda Sangarakkitha and Chairman of the Dayaka Saba of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Vihara premises.
Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara Viharadhikari, Ven. Deniyaye Pannaloka Buddharakkhita Thera said the annual pageant begins with the Devadutha Perahera on January 8. The traditional Udamaluwa Perahera will be conducted on January 9 while the Pahatha Maluwa Perahera will be held on January 10.
The final procession of Randoli Perahera will be conducted on January 11. More than 70 elephants will parade while Kandula tusker of the temple will carry the Sacred Casket. Over 100 dancing items representing up country, low country and Sabaragamuwa will parade the streets.
The perahera which had its origins in 1927, is celebrated annually on Duruthu Poya in January by conducting the historic, traditional and cultural pageant.
Sri Lanka Tourism expects to improve the density of tourism in Kelaniya during the period of the Duruthu Perahera which falls in January.
Sri Lanka Tourism is engaged in promoting the Duruthu Perahera internationally to create awareness about the perahera and promote a religious and cultural tourism event to attract more travellers to Sri Lanka as well.