The Saparagamuwa (Sab aragamuwa) Maha Saman Devalaya is an abode that entwines folklore, history and a heritage that are unique to Sri Lanka. Come every September, the city of Ratnapura and the Devalaya take on a festive air as the Maha Saman Devala Perahera tours the streets in all its splendour calling forth devotees around the island to witness a pageant that brings to life the age-old traditions that have lingered on for many centuries. The annual Perahera at the Sabaragamuwa Saman Devalaya is considered second only to the Kandy cultural pageant in grandeur and the observances of age-old customs and rituals.
Major dance forms Various types of dancers’ representative of major dance forms: Kandyan, Sabaragamuwa and Low Country add colour and grandeur. The culmination of the pageant is the water-cutting ceremony at Malwala on the last day of the Daval Perahera. A large number of elephants also take part in the Perahera.
According to historical records, the Maha Saman Devala perahera began during the reign of King Parakramabahu VI. However, King Sitawaka Rajasingha added the Dalada Perahera to the pageant. Much has been written on this perahera over the years, and I have made up my mind to write a piece on the much famed Maha Bamba Kolama – an aspect unique to the Saman Devala Perahera this time.
Thousands of spectators, mostly children, are mesmerised by the magnificent creation of the Maha Bamba Kolama, a unique feature in Sabaragamuwa that can only be seen in the Saman.