Sri Pada Season begins on Dec 24

The 2015/2016 Sri Pada Pilgrimage Season will begin on the Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day which falls on December 24 and end on May 22, the Wesak Full Moon Poya Day.

The Sri Padastana Chief Incumbent and Sabaragamua Province Chief Sangha Nayake the Ven. Bengamuwe Sri Dhammadinna Thera said the sacred relics casket and the statue of God Sumana Saman and his regalia would be taken in a motorcade from the Galpottawala Rajamaha Vihara on December 23 and proceed through Kitulgala, Hatton, Norwood and Maskeliya to Nallathanniya Sri Pada Dharma Centre and from there in a procession to the Sri Padasthana by army personnel from the Laxapana army camp under Lt. Col. Lalantha Gamlath.

Sri Pada Pilgrimage Season will begin after performing religious observances and other rituals at the Sri Padastana upper compound on December 24.

Two other processions, one through Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Palabaddala and Hatton and the other through Balangoda, Bogawanthalawa and Maskeliya will converge at the Sri Padasthana. Sri Pada Pilgrimage Season will begin after performing religious observances and other rituals at the Sri Padastana upper compound on December 24.

The Ven. Dhammadinna Thera said all facilities for pilgrims would be provided by government institutions on the instructions of Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura Government Agents. He said special security arrangements had been made by the police and the army to provide protection to the pilgrims and to prevent the use of liquor and activities unbecoming of pilgrims.