Srilanka, May 23 -- The historic 2025 Esala Festival of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya is set to commence on June 26, marking the beginning of one of Sri Lanka's most revered religious and cultural celebrations.

An initial awareness meeting for the festival was held on May 22 at the Kataragama Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya. During the meeting, Basnayake Nilame Dishan Gunasekara announced that the annual Perahera (procession) will be held from June 26 to July 10, concluding with the traditional Diya Kapeema (water-cutting) ceremony at the Menik River on July 11.

In a related development, wildlife officials confirmed that the Kumana and Yala National Parks will be opened to accommodate pilgrims undertaking the foot pilgrimage to Kata...