Sri Lanka, July 15 -- The first procession of the annual Esala Festival at the historic Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya will parade the streets tonight (15).

Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya Basnayake Nilame Thilina Madushanka said that the deity will be carried on the tusker, Vasana, at the auspicious time tonight.

The procession will travel along the main street to the Valli Amma Devalaya to perform traditional rituals before returning to the Maha Devalaya along the same route to conclude the proceedings.

The Kataragama Esala Festival spans 15 days, with the final Randoli Perahera scheduled for 29 July. The festival will conclude with the traditional water-cutting ceremony (Diya Kapeema) at the Menik Ganga on the morning of 30 July. ...