Kap Situveema (Planting the Sacred Pole)

How the Festival Begins

Long before the first elephant steps into the street, the Kandy Esala Perahera begins with a ritual that only a few people witness: the Kap Situveema (or kap hituweema), the planting of the kap. A kap is a pole of wood, and in tradition it stands for a kapruka, the celestial wishing tree that grants whatever is desired.

The Ritual

A short piece of wood, about 45 cm long and taken from a jak tree, is sharpened to a point and wrapped in white cloth. At an auspicious time set by the almanac, the Kapu Mahattaya (the priest of the devale) plants it in the ground of each of the four devales beside the Dalada Maligawa: the Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini devales. In earlier times, the tree was cut by an official called the gaskapanna and planted by a forest keeper, the vannakurala. Traditionally the kap was cut from the Esala tree, which is thought to give the month its name; the jak is the usual substitute today.

By tradition the kap represents the god of the shrine. Drummers and flag-bearers walk round it in procession for five nights, so that each devale holds its own perahera, a procession within its own grounds, before the great processions reach the public streets on the sixth night.

Meaning

The festival is named for the month of Esala, and the planting of the kap fixes the beginning of the festival season.The planting marks the transition from ordinary time into the days of the perahera.

Where to See It

The planting is a small, private ritual and is not a public spectacle. The four devales stand beside the Dalada Maligawa and can be visited during the day.

Visitor Tips

Do not expect to witness the planting itself: only a few people are present. Confirm the festival dates with the Maligawa before you plan your trip.