It has been a tradition since ancient times to place a garland on the offerings made to the deity at the Kataragama Devalaya.
However, this garland was initially made of polythene and they did not decompose in garbage and thereby it polluted the environment.
Animals, such as oxen, cows and so on also died from eating the leftovers of the offerings which were mixed with polythene garlands. The aroma mixed on the various offerings and sweets tempts the animals to feed on the garbage and finally they suffer and subsequently die due to the toxicity of the polythene.
The Ministry of Environment has restricted the sale of non-eco-friendly materials such as plastics and polythene in the sacred area. Thus, gradually the sacred garlands were created using wildflowers. Similar to the offerings which are made to the God, these garlands are also used for the rituals near the “Ashta Phalabodhi.”
About 50 percent of the people living in Kataragama make their livelihood through self-employment. Creating garlands for the offerings of the God is also one of the most popular enterprises among them.
With the innovative creation of the natural garlands by the women of Kataragama, pilgrims are also benefitting with happiness and satisfaction and pollution to the environment is also prevented. At the same time, the women in the garland industry also earn high profits with an increase in demand for natural garlands.