Current Affairs - Festivity - Discussion

The Kataragama Esala Festival is a significant multi-faith celebration held annually in Sri Lanka. It begins with a ceremonial flag hoisting and includes notable events like the fire-walking ceremony and Maha Perahera. The festival centres around the worship of Lord Skanda (Murugan), revered by Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims alike. A hallmark of the celebration is the Pada Yatra, a pilgrimage where devotees walk over 500 kilometres as a mark of devotion. The festival promotes interfaith unity and cultural harmony and is centred at the Maha Devala Temple in Kataragama, making it one of Sri Lanka’s most spiritually inclusive traditions.