Events

Kataragama Perahera takes place every year in July and August. This Perahera is part of the Esala Perahera that participates in Kandy, is dedicated to the god of wisdom in India and Skanda is also known as the Deviyo Kataragama by the inhabitants of Sri Lanka. It is said that God Skanda has six heads, twelve weapons, and twenty names.

Like all the others in Peraheras, thousands of locals from all over the country and visitors from all over the world come to witness this colorful scene. The drums and dancers dressed in beautifully decorated clothes walk, dance and sing among elephants, while the elephants are still beautifully decorated. Kaavadi is an arched stick decorated with peacock feathers and colored paper. The pilgrims wear this on their shoulders as they dance to the rhythm of the horn and drum.

The pilgrims walk through the harsh climate, the jungle and the unfavorable conditions in the long journey devoted to the Jaffna Peninsula. They have just arrived at Kataragama Perahera. This great walk is called Pada Yatra, which is carried by devotees and brings their faith contributions to the festival.