- Devotee numbers top one million
- Six dead, hundreds hospitalised
- Crowd control tightened
- Volunteers, private groups aid pilgrims
- Exposition to end today as planned
With today (27) being the final day of the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the opportunity to worship remains uncertain for many devotees.
However, with authorities requesting new devotees to refrain from arriving, crowds have drastically declined, The Sunday Morning observed yesterday (26).
Temple of the Tooth Relic Chief Custodian Dr. Pradeep Nilanga Dela said that a collective decision had been made by authorities to not extend the duration of the exposition and to conclude it today as originally planned.
As of yesterday (26) afternoon, approximately 150,000 devotees were awaiting the opportunity to worship the Tooth Relic, Kandy Divisional Senior Superintendent of Police A. Bandaranaike told The Sunday Morning.
A similar number was confirmed by Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta.
According to Police estimates, over one million people have already paid homage to one of the most sacred Buddhist relics in the world over the last eight days.
Kandy National Hospital Director Dr. Iresha Fernando noted that six deaths had been recorded as of yesterday afternoon.
In total, 475 people had been admitted for care during the exposition – many seeking emergency care for issues such as dehydration and blood pressure.
The Kandy National Hospital had handled most of the healthcare services for devotees during the last eight days.
Three main queues for devotees were arranged towards Ampitiya and Katugastota. Buddhist clergy and persons with disabilities such as those on wheelchairs were admitted through dedicated queues.
While the overall situation in Kandy appeared more manageable by Saturday, small numbers of crowds were gathering at the ends of the already 5 km-long Katugastota queue.
Police officers were seen announcing to those who were still joining the queue that they may not get the opportunity to worship the Sacred Tooth Relic.
“We hope you understand what we are saying, at this point in the queue, it is likely that you won’t get to go,” officers were seen telling the devotees who had gathered behind the barricades at the end of the queue.
Beyond the barricade, devotees were given a sticker as a form of crowd control. In addition, a pass system was maintained for those who wished to temporarily exit the queue for personal needs.
These measures had been introduced as a response to the crowd management challenges experienced after the first few days of the exposition, a Police officer stationed closer to the temple said.
“The sticker system is successful to an extent. However, there are incidents of people losing stickers. We can’t manage the crowd perfectly, but there is some success in keeping things under control.”
Many private stakeholders were seen facilitating the faithful.
Alms, water, and portable toilets were provided by various private individuals and companies. Mosques in the area had made arrangements for drinking water and sanitation facilities while many volunteers and Kandy Municipal Council sanitation workers were seen cleaning the city.
Devotees were not allowed to take their bags inside the temple nor wear their shoes. Bag counters managed by the security forces were seen closer to the temple, where devotees could keep their bags while they went inside the temple. Shoes and slippers were seen lining the roads leading to the temple.
Three centres were set up for those who were lost. Public announcements echoed within the city, helping efforts to find them. Most of the devotees The Sunday Morning spoke to had been in the queue for over four days.
The exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha began on 18 April.