By L.B.Senaratne.
Have you ever witnessed the lighting of the “Hearth” at the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth)? for New Yer Since. All are concerned about the lighting of the hearth at their own homes they are not aware that the hearth i is also lit at this ancient shrine. on the floor of the “” Hwewsisi Mandapaya ” or the Drummers Hall, before one enters the main Inner Srine Room by the Serivce monks headed y the Nayake Thera of the Serivce.
Perhaps you are not aware that a ceremony of this nature takes place at this ancient shrine dedicated to the Sacred Tooth Relic. The chief person in charge of this ceremony is the ‘Kariya Korale’. In fact he could be called the second-in-command of the Sri Dalada Maligawa. The Kariya Korale is a position that is hereditary. The person who possesses this position is in charge of all the ceremonies that take place within the Maligawa The rituauls are his duty of the Inner Shirne, the ” Dhane ” for the monks and all that is needed at the Maligawa. The Diyawadna Nilame fulfills the obligation of the devotees and he is practically the Custodian of the ‘Sri Dalada’. The first Key to the Ancient Golden Karanduwa is with him alone.
The Kariya Korle’s durty is to prepare the hearth that is lit on the day for the Sinhala and Hindu New Year. He does this at the Drummers’ Hall or Hewisi Mandapaya ( the area where the drummers are active within the Maligawa when rites are performed).
Lighting the hearth at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, is the perogative of the the Diyawadana Nilame and the service monks for thier rites of perorming the stanzas also participate during this ceremony,. The Drummers’ Hall is situated somewhat away from the main door. This Hearth is lit about two hours prior to the time given to the rest of the country for this purpose. This year (2026 ) the Hearth was lit inside with the Hewisi area
Lighting the hearth at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, where the Diyawadana Nilame and the service monks participate during ceremonies, is done in the Hewisi Mandapaya
The Hearth was lit by Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela with the blessings of the service monks, who offer their services at the Sri Dalada Maligawa. They are five of them who reside within the Malgiawa. These monks don’t reside in their own temples during this service period of one year and stay at the Maligawa.
The Hearth is prepared by the Kariya Korale. The present incumbent is Karunatilleke.
Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela lit the Hearth and placed a pot of milk above to boil.
The offerings for the Sacred Tooth Relic are prepared within the premises of the Maligawa. These preparation are part of a daily ritual for which the kitchen or ‘Multhen-ge’ of the Maligawa is used. These foods are never brought from outside.
