Religious pageants or processions, known locally as a ‘perahera’, have been part and parcel of Sri Lankan culture for centuries. Almost all religious places of worship that hold a street pageant do so annually, at around the same time or date each year.

The Seenigama Devale lit up for the annual perahera

September this year, witnessed the Seenigama Devale’s 41st annual perahera, a pageant that has been staged since 1968 when the first organizing committee known as the Dakshina Lanka Tharuwa Lekana Sangamaya was formed and put in charge of this shrine.

The famous mid-sea Seenigama Devale

Now a famous attraction on the southern tourist trail, many a visitor gets off at Seenigama to visit this famous and scenic shrine. The Seenigama Devale - dedicated to god Devol, is located mid-sea on a tiny islet. This was originally connected to the mainland but following erosion it now stands in a unique position and is accessed by boat. This Devale dates back to 235 BC and is steeped in cultural and historical significance. Many believers visit this shrine seeking divine assistance to ensure revenge on those who have caused them harm.

Traditional dancers perform during the
Seenigama Devale’s annual perahera

Perahera’s are colourful processions made up of adorned elephants, traditional dancers & drummers, acrobats, recitals or chanting, flag carriers and special acts that are unique to each region of the island. The Seenigama Devale perahera was no exception. The perahera was held for seven consecutive days, during which two perahera’s were exclusively night time pageants.

The colourful events are a major
crowd-puller in any perahera

Over a hundred thousand people – including tourists, sightseers and devotees, were drawn to witness this colourful perahera over the seven days. Accompanying the perahera on each of the days were the chief trustee of the Seenigama Devale D.H. Sampath Viraj Prasanjana - who is also the coordinating secretary and manager of the Foundation of Goodness’(FoG) Seenigama office, and  the Devale’s chief custodian K. Lionel de Silva.

The Seenigama Devale perahera is
a cornucopia of colour and culture

Fourteen majestic elephants walked the procession of the Seenigama Devale perahera this year, led by chief tusker Wasana - on loan from the Kataragama Devale. The perahera culminated in a fire-walking ceremony followed by an alms giving for 6,000 devotees.

‘Wasana’ the main tusker worships at the Devale
Before being adorned for the pageant

Once again the Seenigama Devale will hold its annual pageant at around the same time next year, continuing with the cultural and historic tradition which has made this event a part of the lives of the people of the region.

Fire-walking marks the end of
the Seenigama Devale 7-day perahera

According to legend, a long time ago King Sri Raman (son of Kudupara Ramasinghe) of India had seven wives - Thedapathi, Gunapathi, Amithapathi, Siripathi, Mihipathi, Yahapathi and Agnipathi - and seven sons - Devol, Hiruras, Sandaras, Agniras, Maharas, Kudaras and Saniras. Devol the eldest was groomed to become the next King. However, the people did not like either of the brothers to reign. So, the sons were put into seven ships and sent out to sea to trade. After some time, they saw land and attempted to dock at Kaweri jetty, Yapa jetty, then Panadura, Uggalpitiya, Ginthota and Unawatuna. However, at every point of land they met a different god who opposed them reaching land and created fierce storms to prevent them. Their ships were destroyed in the storms and they swam for seven days. Then, the Sakra God (ruler of the Gods) created a huge rock in the sea for them to rest on. Finally, they reached Seenigama. It was here that they met the Pathini God, who also opposed them and created seven huge walls of fire with demons to prevent them from entering into Seenigama. When Devol saw Pathini he told her that he felt they had been siblings in a previous life. Pathini continued to obstruct him from entering for she knew that if he could somehow make it through her wall of fire, then this would prove that they were related in a previous life. Devol was able to cool the fire, control it and made it through to land. After that, Pathini God and Devol became good friends and the Seenigama Devale was built for him. One day, the King of Seraman had a bad headache and couldn't find anything to cure it. So, he invited Devol, Pathini God and Kataragama God to a three-day Towil (Devil Dance). Devol helped the King's headache disappear and so, Devol became known as Devol Sami (Devol Priest). Eventually, Devol Sami became known as Devol Devi (god Devol). From then on, god Devol began blessing newborn babies, curing the sick and punishing the bad throughout the entire Pathini Kingdom. His six brothers dispersed into different areas and eventually became god Devol's six avatars. This is why god Devol is depicted with 14 arms (his two plus the arms of his six brothers.)

One of Seenigama Devale’s day time perahera’s

The Seenigama Devale perahera is one of the annual highlights on the calendar at the Foundation of Goodness (FoG). Many of our beneficiary families participate in this event, which is eagerly awaited each year.

“Thousands of candles can
be lighted from a single candle,
and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
- Lord Buddha

2008.10.06