11th July 2018 16:26:32 Hours
The Pada Yatra traditionally starts from points in the Jaffna peninsula and terminated in Katharagama. This is an annual event which thousands of Hindu devotees take on in order to attend the Esala festival in Katharagama which is scheduled to be held on 13 July 2018. This year also this foot pilgrimage was commenced from Jaffna a month ago and over six thousand pilgrims reached Katharagama on 09 July 2018 across Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Pothuvil, Kumana and Yala sanctuaries. During this event the pilgrims reach the destination with a lot of hardships each year. Therefore, troops of 23 Gajaba Regiment in conjunction with the Ruhunu Maha Katharagama Devalaya assisted the pilgrims on the direction of the Commander Security Forces (Central), Major General G R H Dias VSV USP ndc psc IG.
Facilitating the devotees including the older ones, drinking water and other essential requirements were provided by the military troops. Further, the General Officer Commanding of 12 Division, Major General N D Wanniarachchi WWV RWP RSP USP ndc also paid a visit to the temporary camps of the pilgrims.
