"
by L. B. Senaratne
Kohomba Kankariya was first enacted in Sri
Lanka during 1415 and 1468, at Jayawardenapura, Kotte. The ritual of God Kohomba,
which ought to have been performed at Gannoruwa Ranabima (battlefield) between
1707 and 1739, during the reign of Sri Vira Para..."
by L. B. Senaratne
Kohomba Kankariya was first enacted in Sri
Lanka during 1415 and 1468, at Jayawardenapura, Kotte. The ritual of God Kohomba,
which ought to have been performed at Gannoruwa Ranabima (battlefield) between
1707 and 1739, during the reign of Sri Vira Parakrama Narendrasinghe did not
take place at that time but was reported to have been held at Hantanne. The
reason has not been adduced so far. Like 'Gam Maduwa' rituals, Kohomba Kankariya
ritual is performed to ensure freedom from diseases, invoke blessings and for
the people to live in prosperity. The blessings are expected to manifest only in
the location that KK is enacted, so that if any others want such blessings, they
too are compelled to enact KK in their own areas, thereby ensuring more people
would make offerings to please the 'Yakka' (devil) separately for their
well-being!
From a different era: According to legend, the origin of this ritual
dates back even to King Panduvasudeva's era in which it was born. The king was
inflicted with an incurable disease, as a result of his predecessor, King Vijaya
not keeping his promise to Princess Kuveni. It was the decision of God Sakra-the
King of gods-that he could not be cured except by a person who was born out of a
flower-known as the king of a flower. (The name 'Male Rajuroowo' (prince from
flowers) in Sinhala is derived form this episode). How could this be achieved? Sakra suggested
that the only way the King of the flower could be brought into the island, was
by means of Rahu, the Chief of the Asura tribe. He suggested that Rahu should
take the form of a Boar, and should lie in wait in the garden to be seen by the
King of the Flower. The King would be drawn to go in search of the Boar. Then
next, he could be drawn into the Island. This advice was followed and after that he came
to Sri Lanka, according to the story laid out in the 'Rajavaliya'. (The place
where the Boar swan across and landed in Sri Lanka is named "Uratota", as the
folklore suggests). The King was then told of the affliction and then he agreed
to cure King Panduvasudeva...
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Archaeological
Survey of Ceylon North-Central and Central Provinces. Annual Report 1901 by H.
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