“This is the biggest Perahera we've ever seen.”

~ A.K. Gamini

From 1st to 7th September 2006, Seenigama celebrated its 39th Perehera, the largest Perahera in the Galle District and one of the most famous Peraheras in the Southern region. The Seenigama Perahera began in 1968 when the first organising committee was established on 1st September, named the Dakshina Lanka Tharuwa Lekana Sangamaya (Society), who were put in charge of the Seenigama Devale. The Seenigama Devale is a shrine room devoted to various Gods that is located in a small building on an island just off Seenigama's shores. Many years ago, the Devale was on land that adjoined the temple, but in recent history, that land has been washed away and the Devale is now situated on a tiny island. In order to reach the Devale, people board small fishing vessels and row to the island. The Seenigama Devale dates back to 235 BC and has a unique cultural and historical significance not only for local villagers, but for many Sri Lankans who come to ask the Gods to perform revenge on those who have caused them harm.

Legend has it that a long time ago King Sri Raman (son of Kudupara Ramasinghe) of India had seven wives - Thedapathi, Gunapathi, Amithapathi, Siripathi, Mihipathi, Yahapathi and Agnipathi - and seven sons - Devol, Hiruras, Sandaras, Agniras, Maharas, Kudaras and Saniras. Devol was the eldest of the sons and was groomed to become the next King. However, the people did not like him nor his brothers and did not want any of them to become the next King. So, the sons were put into seven ships and were sent out to sea to trade. After some time, they reached land and attempted to dock at Kaweri jetty, Yapa jetty, then Panadura, Uggalpitiya, Ginthota and Unawatuna. However, at every point of land they met a different God who opposed them reaching land and created fierce storms to prevent them. Their ships were destroyed in the storms and they swam for seven days.

Then, the Sakra God (ruler of the Gods) created a huge rock in the sea for them to rest on. Finally, they reached Seenigama. It was here that they met the Pathini God, who also opposed them and created seven huge walls of fire with demons to prevent them from entering into Seenigama. When Devol saw Pathini he told her that he felt they had been siblings in a previous life. Pathini continued to obstruct him from entering for she knew that if he could somehow make it through her wall of fire, then this would prove that they were related in a previous life. Devol was able to cool the fire, control it and made it through to land. After that, Pathini God and Devol became good friends and the Seenigama Devale was built for him.

One day, the King of Seraman had a bad headache and couldn't find anything to cure it. So, he invited Devol, Pathini God and Kataragama God to a three-day Towil (Devil Dance). Devol helped the King's headache disappear and so, Devol became known as Devol Sami (Devol Priest). Eventually, Devol Sami became known as Devol Devi (Devol God). From then on, Devol Devi began blessing newborn babies, curing the sick and punishing the bad throughout the entire Pathini Kingdom. His six brothers dispersed into different areas and eventually became Devol Devi's six avatars. This is why when you see images of Devol Devi, you see him with 14 arms (his two arms plus all his brothers' arms).

The Seenigama Perahera festivities commenced on Friday evening with the opening of the beautiful Pandol (a grand light display including a peacock and pictures of the events, as told in the legend) and an all-night pirith ceremony at the Seenigama Devale Temple. The following day, a procession of hundreds of village performers commenced from Seenigama Devale to Telwatte Temple. The very colourful procession consisted of beautifully adorned elephants, dancers, flag bearers, drummers, villagers walking on stilts and much more.

On Sunday, a similar procession occured, but this time from Seenigama to Hikkaduwa. Like Saturday's procession, the participating villagers put on a fabulous display for locals and tourists (some who travelled across the country to view the famous event). On Monday and Tuesday, there were night processions with spectacular performances including firetwirling and other acts. On the final night of the Seenigama Perahera, the villagers gathered by a thatched hut on the beach where they watched the High Priest and a select group of performers carry out rituals involving dancing, singing, chanting, incense burning and other yearly traditions. This continued all night long as a huge pile of wood burned until just before dawn, when those who were brave enough walked (or, in the case of many, ran) over the burning coals. It is said that if you can do this, then you are a person of pure character.

Whilst the 2005 Perahera was relatively small (particularly since it was not long after the tsunami), this year's Perahera was the largest that Seenigama has had to date and it is hoped that this trend will continue for many years to come.