Sewalanka staff members join pilgrimage
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Sewalanka Staff members enter Kataragama through the Manike River, the final leg of the pilgrimage. |
Sewalanka Foundation once again joined in the annual tradition of the Pada Yatra pilgrimage in July this year, with over 225 staff members coming together from districts across the Island to participate.
Pada Yatra is a pilgrimage that traditionally began in the north of Sri Lanka (Jaffna) and ended in the southern town of Kataragama; a haven for devotees of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. According to legend, it was here that the god Kataragama – also known as Skanda, Kanda, Muruga and Arumugum – settled after a battle against the enemies of the gods.
The pilgrimage sees devotees following along the same coastal route which it is said Kataragama travelled. Pilgrims stop to pray at numerous holy sites along the way, including the spot where, according to legend, Lord Kataragama met his second wife, Valli Amman, a poor Sri Lankan peasant.
As a result of the current conflict, numerous major checkpoints and an increase in armed forces, pilgrims rarely travel from the north, preferring to begin the pilgrimage in Trincomalee or Batticaloa.
Leaving from Okanda in the Ampara District on 21 July, Sinhalese, Tamil, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and Christian Sewalanka staff members joined with pilgrims as they walked the final five-day leg through Yala National Park.
Chanting and singing to keep wild animals at bay, the procession travelled over 120 kilometers to finish in the holy city of Kataragama in time for the start of the Esala Festival.
Walking for the third year in a row, Sewalanka Foundation Chairman Harsha Kumara Navaratne said the pilgrimage had become an important tradition for Sewalanka staff.
“We decided to participate in the pilgrimage as an organisation three years ago to allow our older staff members the opportunity to continue a childhood tradition and our younger generations the opportunity to learn about one of Sri Lanka’s oldest customs,” Mr Navarante said.
“Pada Yatra is a powerful experience that cuts across age, race, gender and religion and for an organisation that attempts to do the same; it has become an important annual event for the Sewalanka team.
“In the first year we had around 60 participants and 120 the following year. Each year, more and more staff are coming together from districts across the country to worship, reflect and share their experiences with old and newly established companions on this traditional journey,” he said.
