The Annual Pada Yatra (Foot Pilgrimage) commenced from Tawalantenna, last week. Large number of devotees in the Nuwara Eliya district participated in this March to reach the Kataragama Maha Devale in time for the Kataragama Esala festival.
According to a senior devotee Mariappan Muniyandi alias Periya Appa, over the past three decades the estate sector and the up-country devotees largely take part in this sacred march.
In line with the historical “Northern Pada Yatra”, up-country devotees too have organised this sacred mission.
The program begins from the Tawalantenna Hanuman Kovil under the guidance of Swami Maheshwaran and Swami Murugesu.
Three vehicles are also included in the program to transport provisions cookers, gas cylinders and cooking utensils, food items and the personal baggage of the participants.
At the end of the first day, they spend the night at the Sita Eliya Buddhist Temple premises.
The following morning, they proceed to Welimada. After lunch, the devotees resume their journey to Bandarawela.
On the morning of the third day they start from the Bandarawela Devale, to Wellawaya and take shelter at Kali Devala that night.
On the fourth day, they reach Rawana Ella by lunch time. Thereafter, the Pada Yatra reaches Buttala by night.
Their last lap is through the dense forest, among the sound of chirping birds and wild animals including deer and so on.
Repeating” Haro Harah”, the Pada Yatra arrives at Sella Kataragama.
As they see the Manik Ganga, to quench their thirst and to refresh themselves they dip themselves in the glistening river.
I Asked Periya Appa of any obstacles they had experienced in the past, he replied: “During the trouble period, the police took us all into custody mid way in the march as they mistook us for LTTE terrorists.
Fortunately, our temple authorities complained about this matter to the President’s office and we were immediately released. Not only were we released, the police even provided us security until the end of the Pada Yatra.
According to formal commitments, vows are performed to worship God Sri Skandha, and to re-establish goodwill between human and divine beings.