Sri Lanka, June 17 -- A week before the Kandy Esala Perahera (pageant), the Kup is cut from Aluthnuwara Dedimunda Devale premises and the tree is taken to Kandy to be cut into four pieces and planted at the auspicious time to commence the Kandy Esala Maha Peraehra.

This is part of a restoration process of the Dedimunda Devale at Aluthnuwara, which can be reached by taking a turn off from the Mawanella main road and driving about 10 kilometres. This is the Devale (Shrine) of God Dedimunda. The shrine is believed to have been built during the time of King Bhuwanekabahu (1273-1284 AD) but prior to this,, the area was used by Buddhist monks as a religious school in the name of Assaddana Pirvena.

Bhuvenkabahau not only developed the Devale,...