The State Katina Festival and the grand ritual of colouring the Katina Cheewara (woven robe for monks) is to be held on 7 and 8 November at the historic Somawathi religious site.
It was a custom in the days of the kings to cultivate cotton, spin the yarn, sew the cotton cloth using the cotton cloth, sew the robe, devote it to the Sangha, and soak it for colouring.
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State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara receives a loom spool from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, signifying the official initiation of Katina Festivities, 30 October 2020, Photo SLFP Media Unit[/caption]
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, revisiting this ancient ritual, presented the thread required for the preparation of the Katina Cheewara on 30 October to State Minister of Batik, Handloom, and Local Apparel Production Dayasiri Jayasekara.
“More than 100,000 robes of the required standard are imported annually, which is shrouded by the more than 40,000 monks living in the country. We are looking at taking the necessary steps to meet the demand for these robes by locally producing them with the use of local handlooms to a high standard,” Jayasekara told The Morning.
The villagers of Bisopura, Medirigiriya have started weaving the robes (Katina Chiwara) using these threads and handlooms on 31 October. The single-piece robe woven over a period of one week will be taken to the Somawathi Shrine on 7 November in a grand procession.
Somawathi Raja Maha Viharaya Chief Incumbent Ven. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Thera will officiate at the State Katina Festival. The Chivara will be devoted to the Sangha, after which on 8 November they will be soaked for colouring using local pigment material.
The State Katina Festival is scheduled to be held annually under state sponsorship from this year onwards.
This is the first time since the reign of King Parakramabahu II that a state-sponsored Katina Festival is being held.
State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara receives a loom spool from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, signifying the official initiation of Katina Festivities, 30 October 2020, Photo SLFP Media Unit[/caption]
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, revisiting this ancient ritual, presented the thread required for the preparation of the Katina Cheewara on 30 October to State Minister of Batik, Handloom, and Local Apparel Production Dayasiri Jayasekara.
“More than 100,000 robes of the required standard are imported annually, which is shrouded by the more than 40,000 monks living in the country. We are looking at taking the necessary steps to meet the demand for these robes by locally producing them with the use of local handlooms to a high standard,” Jayasekara told The Morning.
The villagers of Bisopura, Medirigiriya have started weaving the robes (Katina Chiwara) using these threads and handlooms on 31 October. The single-piece robe woven over a period of one week will be taken to the Somawathi Shrine on 7 November in a grand procession.
Somawathi Raja Maha Viharaya Chief Incumbent Ven. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Thera will officiate at the State Katina Festival. The Chivara will be devoted to the Sangha, after which on 8 November they will be soaked for colouring using local pigment material.
The State Katina Festival is scheduled to be held annually under state sponsorship from this year onwards.
This is the first time since the reign of King Parakramabahu II that a state-sponsored Katina Festival is being held.