Gammaduwa: How Sri Lankans seek solace against life’s misfortunes

A Sri Lankan traditional dancer performs during the traditional ritual 'Gammaduwa' ceremony in Colombo on November 25, 2016. (AFP)

Updated on: Nov 29, 2016 7:47 PM IST

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A Sri Lankan traditional dancer performs during the traditional ritual 'Gammaduwa' ceremony in Colombo on November 25, 2016. (AFP)

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A Sri Lankan traditional dancer performs during the traditional ritual 'Gammaduwa' ceremony in Colombo. Gammaduwa is an ancient dance of Sri Lanka. (AFP)

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Gammaduwa is a ritual that has come down the centuries and is a call for the village and its people to be protected from adversity. (AFP)

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It blends Buddhism and Hinduism (Pattini Cult) in a fascinating mix. (AFP)

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Legend has it that a king was plagued with a painful headache. No amount of medicine or magic helped. Then, wise men told him to seek solace in a land sanctified by Buddhist philosophy. That’s how he reached Sri Lanka. He arrived at a place called Navagamuwa. A grand altar was set up where the ritual was first performed. (AFP)

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The dance is performed between the months of January and May, which are supposed to be the most fertile months. (AFP)

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It is often called shanthikarma, a cleansing ritual where the dance is performed only by men. (AFP)

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They are expected to emerged in earnest preparation, involving abstinence and self-discipline. Men are dressed in white where they dance to the beats of drums. (AFP)

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The atmosphere is illuminated with torches, coronets, turbans and bandanas as men invoke and pray to the gods. (AFP)