'Katina Pinkama' Perahera, Honiton Place, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

During the three  months of 'Vaes Kaley' - rainy season, the Theravada Buddhist monks remain in their residences. During this period the laymen supply them with all necessities. At the end of the three months, the laymen organize a Perahera to signify the end of the 'Katina' period. The word 'Katina' means difficult. A Tamil equivalent is 'Kadhinam'. I took the above photos of a 'Katina Perahera' dong the rounds of our village in Avissawella, at 4am

'Katina pinkama' perahera, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

'Olu bakko' - dancers wearing papier-mach masks.

The image of Lord Buddha.

The pansala 'Hewisi' band and youngsters.

The 'hewisi' band.

Click on link below to watch a video clip:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruOzA_Z6CfE&feature=share&list=UU1dqepitfAJwrQWLD-gZ3NA

'Katina Pinkama' Perahera, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The beginning of the procession.

Stilt-walkers.

Fire dancers.

'Kandyan dancers.

Acaprisoned baby elephant in the procession.

Female dancers and masked dancers.

'Katina' is a day in the life of a Buddhist monk at the end of the rainy season ('vas'). The Lord Buddha instructed that pieces of clothe used on corpses should be retrieved from the cemetery. These pieces were sewn together in the shape of the 'liyaddhe' of a paddy field. This material was then washed, dyed by immersing in specified boiled roots and leaves. The robe was then dried and at the end of the day was worn by the Buddhist priest. The priest then gave a sermon to the assembled helpers. In present Sri Lanka the material of the robe is bought. It is then taken in procession and handed over to the priests. This latter is called a 'Katina Perahera'.
The word 'Katina' means difficult or arduous. This is equivalent to the Tamil word 'kadhinam'.