Skip to main content

Makini's Warm Welcome for the Pada Yatra Pilgrims

Every July, the sacred Pada Yatra [ˈpɑːdə ˈjɑːtrɑː] pilgrimage unfolds, with thousands of devotees walking on foot from the northern reaches of the country all the way to the south, to pay homage to the deity Kataragama, worshipped by Buddhists as Kataragama Deviyo and by Hindus as Lord Murugan. Their path winds through the pristine wilderness of Kumana and Yala National Parks, and by the time they near the end, days of walking are etched into their tired but determined faces, a true test of endurance.

During the pilgrimage season, our guests often cross paths with the pilgrims on the way to Warahana, a frequent part of our regular safari drives. The trek transforms into a corridor of devotion, with pilgrims filling the path and the chant of “haro hara” echoing continuously. A memorable part of this experience is when our guests join in, responding to the pilgrims with their own calls of “haro hara.” Hearing them echo the chant in all kinds of accents always brings a wave of laughter and joy, turning a serious wilderness encounter into a lighthearted moment of shared cultural connection. Along such drives, our role as rangers is to focus on the pilgrimage - sharing its meaning with our guests and joining in the calls to make the moment memorable. Once we pass Warahana and the path clears toward the main entrance, our focus then shifts towards wildlife in the surrounding wilderness.

This year, our team wanted to do something more directly for the pilgrims themselves. Throughout the season, wave after wave of devotees flood through the parks. We chose a spot five kilometers from the Kataragama temple to set up an aid station, so the pilgrims could be refreshed for that final stretch of their journey. Our Camp Manager Maddy, along with his friend Sajith (whom we all affectionately call Sajja), came up with the perfect way to offer relief and energy. Sajja, known for his kind heart and his passion for crafting delightful drinks, suggested a refreshing mocktail mixing Sunquick, a beloved Sri Lankan staple, with fresh lime juice. Everything was prepared with care, and once our guests at camp had checked out, we proudly put on our uniforms and set out to set up the refreshment station, ready to give the pilgrims a Vitamin C boost on their journey.


Since our Hilux couldn't carry everyone and everything at once, we made the trip in two runs. Setting up took a little longer than expected, as the tent arrived later than planned, but we made sure the first pilgrims were served all the same. Dilsara, who was once part of the Makini family, saved the day by arriving on his tuk tuk with the much needed ice. Despite the challenges with the tent and the back and forth of our Hilux, his enthusiasm and the camaraderie between all of us carried the refreshment station through to a successful day for the weary pilgrims.

To complement the lime and Sunquick, we also handed out a variety of popular cream biscuits - chocolate, custard cream and orange cream. These were a hit not only with the Pada Yatra pilgrims, but also with the army and navy personnel managing logistics, and the drivers bringing in water bowsers. It was a joyful experience to offer these small comforts, in keeping with the true spirit of giving during a sacred pilgrimage.

 

Our mocktail mixing was led by our bartender Amesh, while Sajja and Maddy carefully poured each drink. My role was to capture the joy of the moment through photography and videography. Behind the scenes, Sasinima from our ranger team, along with Achintha from our restaurant staff and Madushanka from grounds, provided essential support. Our supervisor Udayanga made sure everything ran smoothly, and Natheesha took care of arranging the tent. It was, truly, a project we put our hearts into together, and by far the most rewarding one we've undertaken for the community this year.



Dedication to the community is at the heart of our work at Makini. We believe that our success is deeply connected to the health of the surrounding environment, the preservation of local wildlife, and the well-being of the people who call this region home.




By Arun

Senior Ranger
Makini Bush Camp, Yala

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Introducing Makini Impact

At Makini Bush Camp, we've always believed that true luxury in the wild goes far beyond comfort. It's about connection: to the land, its people, and the stories that shape both. Out of this belief came Makini Impact , our initiative to make every guest experience part of something greater: a journey that leaves behind a lasting, positive footprint. Makini Impact is built around a simple but powerful idea: that responsible tourism can empower communities, protect nature, and inspire meaningful change. Located on the edge of Yala's wilderness, we've seen firsthand how closely human lives and ecosystems intertwine. Every decision we make, from how we build and source to how we engage with our neighbors, is guided by a deep respect for that connection. Our Vision Makini Impact aims to bridge the gap between the world of travel and the needs of the local environment and community. We see tourism not as an isolated business, but as a living ecosystem, one that thrives only w...
Post a Comment
Read more

Unveiling the Hidden World of Makini's Habitats

At Makini Bush Camp, our commitment to sustainability begins at home—by understanding the very land we inhabit. This dedication recently drove a crucial scientific endeavour: a detailed, 15-day habitat mapping project across our entire property. Conceptualised by our founder, Chamith, the initiative brought together a team that included our expert rangers and naturalists, Kaushalya and Arun, and two dedicated AIESEC volunteers, Viola and Alexandre. The initiative was more than an academic exercise; it brought us closer to becoming one with our environment and adopting a truly conscious conservation strategy.   The Process The project was meticulously planned. Using GIS software, the team first created a baseline map and divided the land extent into a systematic grid of 50×50 meter plots. This created a precise research unit where the team systematically recorded soil conditions, vegetation structure, density and species presence during the field survey phase. The work was challengi...
Post a Comment
Read more

How You Can Support Sustainability at Makini

At Makini Bush Camp, sustainability is not a parallel initiative - it is inseparable from how we operate, host, and exist within the Yala–Kataragama landscape. Surrounded by shrub-forests and wildlife corridors, Makini depends on nature for its very identity. With that dependence comes responsibility: to protect ecosystems, uplift communities, and operate with care and intelligence.   Makini Impact was established to give shape and direction to this responsibility. It brings together conservation, community engagement, and responsible operations, allowing guests and external partners to participate meaningfully in the work that sustains this place. For those who wish to extend their Makini experience beyond rest and reflection, there are several ways to do so. Supporting Young Minds Through Education One of the most personal initiatives under Makini Impact is our ongoing school programme at Detagamuwa Junior School in Kataragama. These weekly sessions focus on building confid...
Post a Comment
Read more