Pilgrimage of Siripada 🙏🌼💥
BBC News, Sin
The Siripa pilgrimage season, which begins with the Unduwap Poya, ends with the next Vesak Poya. Therefore, the period from May to December is called 'Avaraya'.
Since the 2020 pilgrimage to the feet of the Buddha was restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year many people, regardless of age, are going to the feet of the Buddha with great enthusiasm.
Buddhist devotees as well as local and foreign pilgrims gather to pay homage to the Sripada, which is believed to be the site of the left footprint of Gautama Buddha.
Every year, the Siripa pilgrimage begins with the Unduwap Poya festival, after the relic casket and the statue of Lord Saman are carried from the Sri Pada Rajamaha Viharaya in Galpotthawal.
The procession, which starts from the Rajamaha Viharaya, Pelmadulla and proceeds to Udamaluwa via Nallathanniya, is the longest in Sri Lanka. It passes through four districts of Ratnapura, Colombo, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya, belonging to three provinces: Sabaragamuwa, Western and Central.
Sri Pada is also known as "Samantha Koota" as the Lord Sumana Saman resides at the Sri Pada. In addition, Sri Pada is also known as "Ratnagiri".
The sacred foothills, known in English as Adam's Peak, are sacred not only to Buddhists but also to Hindus and Muslims. Muslims believe that the footprints of Adam, the first person created by their God, are there, while Hindus believe that the footprints of Lord Shiva are there.
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There are about six routes for the Siripa pilgrimage, but most people make the pilgrimage via three main access routes.
Hatton - Nallathanniya Road
Ratnapura - Palabaddala road
Kuruwita - Erathna Road
Currently, most people perform the Siripa pilgrimage via the Hatton-Nallathanniya route, due to the ease and shortness of the route.
However, the Ratnapura-Palabaddala route and the Kuruwita-Eratna route are unique both historically and due to folklore.
Although the route is a bit long, the route is very scenic, taking in the beauty of the Samanola sacred site and passing through beautiful forest areas. Drinking a cold drink from the water springs on both sides of the route is sure to relieve any fatigue you feel.
Pilgrims arriving via Hatton can proceed to Nallathanniya via Hatton town and begin the Siripa Karuna.
Devotees traveling on the Ratnapura route can start the Siripa Karuna by arriving in Ratnapura and then arriving at Palabaddala on the Palabaddala route. Pilgrims traveling on the Kuruwita route begin the Siripa Pandana via Kuruwita Eratna.
The Siripa pilgrimage is a difficult task. It requires climbing thousands of steps and takes several hours to reach the Siripa Udamaluwa.
There are traditional rituals associated with the worship of the feet of the goddess. Many pilgrims wash their needles and threads at a place called 'Idikatu Pana'. While offering prayers to the feet of the goddess, devotees sing the Thunsarane Kavi and various folk poems. The first time pilgrim is called the "Kodukaraya" and he must bathe in the two-layered water known as 'Seetha Gangula'.
There are several places that devotees who go to worship Siripa must pass through. They are Makara Pandolana, Lihini Hela, Katukithula Bend, Dharmaraja Gala, Seetha Gangula, Getthampana, Haramiti Pana, Ahasgavwa, Mahagiri Damaya, Siripa Maluwa and Siripa Padmaya and Dolos Mahe Pahana etc.
Upon reaching the courtyard above the Sri Pada, pilgrims ring the bell there according to the number of times they have visited the Sri Pada.
Ambalams or rest houses have been set up at Palabaddala Temple, Lihini Hela, Haramitipana, Andiyalamathenna, Warangala, Seetha Gangula, Medahinna, and Indikatupana to relieve the fatigue of the pilgrims. Temporary small shops have also been set up at various places up to Siripa Maluwa to purchase essential items including food items.
Special applications used during the Siripa pilgrimage
Karunawai - During the pilgrimage to Sripa, people from their own village and from other villages greet each other with the words 'Karuwai' (kindness). It is believed that this will relieve the fatigue of the journey.
Nade Gura - The person who collects a Nada in the difficult Siripa Karuna since ancient times is called a 'Nade Gura'. The group that goes on this pilgrimage is called a 'Nada' and the Nade Gura performs the Siripa Karuna by performing the proper rituals and leading the Nada.
Sanhinde - When someone's path is blocked, Siripa Karuna asks permission from another person in a very friendly manner, addressing them as 'Sanhinde'.
"Give us peace...
Thank you to those who gave..."
Kodukaraya - Those who perform the Siripa Karuna for the first time are called 'Kodukaraya'. The Kodukaraya is valid only if performed during the Siripa period.
Kiri Kodu - A young child or girl who joins the Siripa pilgrimage for the first time is called 'Kiri Kodu'.
Dandu Kodu - An adult who joins the Siripa pilgrimage for the first time is called 'Dandukodu'.
Purification - The purification process before the pilgrims worship the feet of the Lord is called 'Pe Veema'. They should rub a piece of lime on their head, bathe in cold water, and wear a white robe. They should also prepare for this journey by not eating meat.
Ira Seva - The sunrise from the east in the early morning is known as 'Ira Seva' in Siripa Uda Maluwa. During this natural event, the shadow of Siripa Mountain falls in a triangular shape to the west.
Carry your vaccination card.
This year's Siripa Pandana will be held in accordance with COVID guidelines, and adults are required to carry a COVID vaccination card or a photocopy of it to present to security forces if necessary.
The vaccination card is sometimes checked at police checkpoints.
Pilgrims must wear face masks when entering the shrine, maintain social distancing, and carry hand sanitizer.
Bring back what you brought.
Ecological importance of the Sri Pada site
The Sripada Untouched Mountain Rainforest, located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, is a forest designated as a World Heritage Site.
The reserve is a protected sanctuary for unique, rare species of life, including endemic plant species, as well as insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
The Sri Pada site is also of great ecological value. Herpetologist Mendis Wickramasinghe told BBC Sinhala that the Sri Pada site is the ecosystem with the highest diversity of reptiles and amphibians in Sri Lanka.
This is also the only ecosystem where all bird species endemic to Sri Lanka are recorded.
Another specialty is that it is an ecosystem with a continuous forest cover ranging from lowland wet zone forests to cloud forests.
The two main rivers, the Kalu and the Kelani, originate from the Samanala site.
The largest elephant population in Sri Lanka's lowland wet zone lives in the butterfly site, and researchers believe that the site is home to as yet undiscovered species.
The star-spotted toad, believed to be extinct in Sri Lanka, was rediscovered at the Samanala site after 160 years. Two other amphibian species, believed to be extinct, were also rediscovered at the Siripa site after 140 years.
Due to the dense vegetation cover, wildlife is not as easily seen here as in dry zone parks like Yala.
Environmentalists say that due to the misbehavior of some who worship the Sri Pada, tons of non-biodegradable waste such as polythene have accumulated in various places, and this unique ecosystem is being destroyed, as can be seen during the Sri Pada season.
They say that the work done by Maskeliya Pradeshiya Sabha employees, the Central Environmental Authority, security forces, volunteers, and some young people to remove waste including polythene should be greatly appreciate.
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