The annual Kataragama Esala Festival and the perehera commenced on the 17th of July 2017 and came to an end on the 31st of July. The festivities begins with a ‘Kap’ planting ceremony and concludes with a water cutting ceremony after 15 days. The festival is organized by the Katharagama devalaya and festival this year was organised on the instructions of the ‘Viharadipathi Kiri Vehera Raja Maha Viharaya Ven. Kobawaka Damminda Thera’. This is a glorious sight with magnificent displays of cultural heritage thus is worth catching a glimpse of when exploring the country with any of the Sri Lanka tours that provide holiday packages around the country featuring the main attractions such as Connaissance de Ceylan. The police and security forces usually take care of the devotees, participating in the festivities in the Katharagama and Sella Katharagama areas. Further authorities take measures to provide transport, food, sanitary care and water to pilgrims, mostly the ‘pada yathra’ pilgrims, during the season.