GOD KATARAGAMAVALLI AMMA LOVE AFFAIR REMEMBERED
Kataragama Esala Perahera Veddah community participates in enacting a legend
On the second day of the Kataragama Esala Perahera on Tuesday night (25), people of the Veddah community armed with bows and arrows obstructed the procession and prevented it from proceeding until they were offered gifts.
According to legend God Kataragama who fell in love with Valli Amma who had been brought up by a Veddha chief, was not allowed by her brothers to visit her. However God Kataragama had offered gifts to please them to have permission to see Valli Amma.
This legend is enacted by the Veddha people led by Unapan Warige Bandiya who participated in the Perahera.they lay in ambush at the Vahalkada entrance and aim bows and arrows at the procession.
Maha Bethme, the senior-most official of the Basnayake Nilame’s office offer them a pouch of coins performing a ritual reminiscent of the legend that God Kataragama offered gifts to Valli Amma’s guardians to obtain permission to see her.
On the fourth day the procession will leave the Maha Devala grounds and proceed through the Outer Street to the Valli Amma Devala and return through the Main Street after performing traditional rituals.
It is of significance that statues of King Dutugemunu and the Ten Giants in his army would be carried in the procession today for the first time in its history according to a proposal of the Chief Incumbent of Sri Abhinawarama Temple Ven Kapugama Sri Saranatissa Thera.