Commander of the Navy attends Perahera Ceremony of Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya

The annual Esala Festival and Perahera Ceremony of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya were held from 19th to 23rd August 2020. Meanwhile, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne took part in the ancient ‘Pavada Perahera’ which paraded along the streets on 22nd August.

Even if it has been the practice to conduct the annual Esala Festival and Perahera of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya for 18 days in previous years, the ceremonial events of this year had been confined only to rituals due to health concerns, as per the counsel of Ven. Bellanwila Dhammarathana Thera, Chief Incumbent of the temple. In the meantime, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, at the invitation of the Chief Incumbent, took part in the ‘Pavada Perahera’ and participated in the meritorious event of carrying the sacred relics casket from the Viharaya premises to the Relics Hall.