Carrying large wooden poles, they remain upright as the flames from their containers soar feet into the air. At regular intervals they lower their poles 're-fuelling' them with coconut shells. The heat is intense. Sweat from their bodies pours to the ground and mixes with the smouldering cinders of the coconuts. Temple officials with the Kariya Korala , Master of Ceremonies, drift past.
Smoke plays tricks with the coloured lights.
Then proudly and majestically, attended by numerous officials and flanked by two radiant tuskers, the sacred Maligawa Tusker appears resplendent. A huge and colourful canopy crowns the golden domed relic casket on his back. He is showered with jasmine, as the royal white pawada cloth is spread before him. He moves across it. Never do his feet touch the naked ground.