What is the main event of the Kataraga Festival?

warde · Joined: 17 Dec 2005 Posts: 1

I and my friends will go to Sri Lanka in several weeks. We are planning to see many different places there and visit some spots I heard so much about. I also heard about Kataraga Festival. I would like to see it. What is the main event of the Kataraga Festival?

thorndike · Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

I assume that you meant the Kataragama festival that takes place from July 26th to August 10th. The festival lasts for two weeks and begins with lifting up the flag in honor or the Kataragama god who predated Buddha. The following nights shaman priests perform various rituals re-enacting the god visiting princess on decorated elephants while a large number of pilgrims shout and pour holy ash and camphor on their heads. The procession is really impressive. However, the most impressive thing is the final night when the holy casket is put in the river while thousands of pilgrims are following. After that they walk across the burning ash before the morning.

What is the main event of the Kataraga Festival?

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