SRI PADA SEASON ENDS WITH AN INFLUX OF PILGRIMS

Pilgrim arrivals increase in view of the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day on April 29, which marks the end of the pilgrim season this year

There had been a heavy influx of pilgrims to Sri Padasthana during the last several days after the Sinhala and Hindu New Year celebrations, the Police said yesterday.

“More than 200,000 pilgrims arrived through the Hatton Route alone,” OIC Nallathanniya Police IP Laksiri Fernando said.

More than 200,000 pilgrims arrived through the Hatton Route alone

He said that the vehicles transporting pilgrims were parked in the Nallathanniya car parks and by the roadside from Nallathanniya to Riccarton on the Maskeliya Road.

He said the pilgrim arrivals increased in view of the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day on April 29, that marks the end of the pilgrim season this year.

Chief Incumbent of the Sri Padastana Chief Sanghanayake of the Sabaragamuwa Province Ven. Bengamuwe Dhammadinna Thera said the casket of sacred relics, the statue of the God Sumana Saman and the regalia would be taken in procession to Nallathanniya and from there by motorcade to Pelmadulla Rajamaha Vihara on April 30.

“After religious observances, the motorcade will proceed to Galpotawala Rajamaha Vihara the next day,” he said.

Ven. Thera said the casket of relics, the statue of the God and the regalia would be placed in the shrine room in the temple until the next Sri Pada pilgrim season.

He said the Sri Pada season this year ends earlier than in the previous years as the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day that usually falls midmay, falls in April this year.