August 16, 2023

The Kap Chanting (Kapa Kapeema) ceremony, the first ritual of the Kandy Esala Perahera Festival 2023 was performed today in Sathara Koralaya.

 

The ancient ritual of Kap Chanting of the Kandy Esala Perahera Festival of the hill capital was performed today the 16th day of the month of August in the year 2023 at the auspicious time of 5.10 am at Aluthnuwara in Sabaragamuwa Province. The ritual was performed under the leadership of Sri Maha Vishnu Dewalaya of Kandy. The Kapa which was brought to Dadimunda Dewalaya of Aluthnuwara on the royal tusker was later brought to Sri Maha Vishnu Dewalaya in a magnificent procession with drumming and accompanying instruments, after performing the ancient rituals & offerings. The Kapa will be distributed among the four Dewala at the auspicious time of 4.10pm. Inside processions in the Dewala premises will start tomorrow (17th August) after planting the Kapa at the auspicious time of 6.12 am.

 

This traditional ritual which dates back 3 centuries, continues even today without any change. “Kapa” is a post or a pillar “Kap Situweema” or Kap Chanting is to show their devotion by planting a post. The auspicious times are given by the Temple of The Sacred Tooth Relic but the rituals are followed by the Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama & Paththini, the four Dewala.