According to Wildlife officials there has been a sharp increase in the number of devotees attending the traditional two-month foot pilgrimage. Wildlife officials of the Kumana National Park have been deployed at camping sites en route to avoid environment pollution.

The Wildlife Department has taken steps to provide basic infrastructure facilities to the pilgrims on a directive of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

Devotees have been advised by the Wildlife Department officers on how to set up campfires and dump garbage without damaging the fauna and flora of the park. Drinking water is given to devotees and with the support of a volunteer organisation more water bowsers will be available from this week. The Wildlife Department will increase the number of officials this week by recruiting more volunteers.

Attired only in traditional dresses- vettis and shawl for men, saris for women- the pilgrims walk, eat and worship together in small bands. They walk five or six miles per day and they halt at 73 traditional places of worship from Jaffna to Kataragama.