Sri Pada Pilgrimage Season Begins with Sacred Ceremonies

The Sri Pada pilgrimage season commenced on Uduwap Full Moon Poya Day, marking the beginning of the annual sacred journey from December to May. This year’s season began with religious ceremonies at the Sri Pada Raja Maha Viharaya in Galpoththawala, Ratnapura, including the enshrinement of the relics casket and the statue of God Saman.

Troops of the Gemunu Watch (GW) conducted the ceremonial march, carrying the relics casket and statue from Palabaddala Purana Viharaya along Raja Mawatha to Sri Pada Maluwa on 14 December 2024. A parallel procession from Advikanda Aramaya via Erathna also joined the event.

Brigadier A.D. Rodrigo RWP RSP psc, Centre Commandant of GW, along with Senior Officers, Officers, and 220 troops, participated in this annual tradition. Thousands of devotees lined the routes and gathered at Sri Pada Maluwa to pay homage.