DAY 04 of Katharagama Pada Yathra ; 03rd of July, 2019

“The Katharagama Pada-yathra” is an annual pilgrimage done mainly by Hindu-Tamils in honor of Lord Kadhiratian (God of Katharagama). Some pilgrims walk all the way as far from Jaffna to the secret Devalaya at Katharagama, covering more than 500 kilometers on foot. The most difficult and dangerous part of this journey is no doubt the approximately 100km stretch from Okanda to Katagamuwa, where the pilgrims have to cross the Kumana & Yala National parks. The park gates are kept open for a limited number of days simultaneous to this Katharagama festive season, and the Wildlife Department officials, Security forces and Local Government authorities of the area operate a special program during this period providing pilgrims with drinking water and other assistance at various points within the jungle. There are also a few volunteer groups providing medical assistance and operating ‘dan-sel’ donating meals to the pilgrims. Other than that, all pilgrims old and young cross this forest where wild animals roam frequently with the pure faith that Gods would protect them till the end of the journey, chanting “Aero Hara”, and calling each other ‘Sami’ (Godly person) with the belief God in everyone who as come to help them on their journey. Our group of nine took five nights and six days to complete the journey from Okanda to Katharagama (apex. 110 km), as we went in a slow phase enjoying the Natures wonders and collecting non-degradable waste that ware been thrown here & there within the forest.

The Fourth day of our journey was from Lin-thuna to Menik-ganga. As usual, after we made offerings to the small shrine at Lin-thuna, we took-off. That morning breakfast was again tea with Aggala, which we happily shared with a few co-pilgrims on the way. Crossing the open plains with constant sandy winds, we reached Katupila-ara by about noon. It was like heaven to see the ‘Katupila-ara Bath Dan-sela’. We enjoyed a good lunch there and had a nap till the Sun went down a bit. Full credit should be given to the dansela operators, as they had taken all possible measures to prevent pollution. It was early evening when we reached the Menik-ganga, but the river bed was full of pilgrims. We too lay our sheets on the sandy river bed, and had a bath before dinner.