When the message of Poson lights up Thanthirimale
I remember sitting on a rock observing the religious ceremonies associated with the Duruthu Poya programme held at Thanthirimale in January 2004 taken up with the sacred and serene surroundings of this hallowed place. This was before the Aloka Pooja programme was begun by Wijeya Newspapers. Though I had visited this place earlier, I had not experienced the sacredness of this hallowed place to a great extent. Something within me told me that I should get involved in the activities at Thanthirimale irrespective of my being a Catholic.
When I returned to Colombo I put down my thoughts and experiences and wrote my first article on Thanthirimale, titled ‘Meeting Divinity at Thanthirimale’ which was published in the Sunday Times. To be involved in all the activities of this sacred place came as a new challenge to all of us who took part in the work involved with the Aloka Pooja that started at Poson that year.
This is the 14th year that Wijeya Newspapers will light up the Thanthirimale Shrine and offer the Aloka Pooja. The initial Aloka Pooja was during Poson in 2004, when Thanthirimale was called a ‘border village’ and LTTE terror was at its worst. Just a few feet away over the other side of Malwathu Oya was the territory of the LTTE Tigers and on this side of the river bank stood our forces ever alert ready for any eventuality. I remember that the staff involved in the Aloka Pooja were advised not to go bathing in the river as the Tigers were an unpredictable lot. Gunshots could be heard even during the day and the Army personnel always said, “ Un apey aya maranawa” (They are killing our own). Thankfully this situation is no more. Today one can swim, bathe and spend the whole day in Malwathu Oya even observing the majestic elephants pass by.
Thanthirimale has associations to Unduwap Poya in December. The place became famous only after the arrival of Sangamitta Theri on an Unduwap Poya day many centuries ago. It was she who brought us the Sacred Bodhi on the instructions of her father, the great king Ashoka of India. This was done at the request of the local king Devanampiyatissa and her own brother, the great Mihindu Maha Rahathanwahanse or Mahinda Thera. It was Mahinda Thera who brought the teachings of Lord Buddha, to this country, with the initial preaching of the Dhamma to king Devanampiyatissa.
The name of this humble village changing from Upatissagama and Thivakkabamunugama to Thanthirimale are known facts. History records the transformation of the name through the stories of Saliya and Ashokamala with the link to an endemic butterfly variety that was known as ‘Thanthiri’ that flew around the area encircling the village and the forest area now known as Wilpattu.
After Sangamitta Theri and the Royal guests passed through via Malwathu Oya, the village settled down to its normal routine with of course the happy memories of the events connected to the arrival of Sri Maha Bodhi sapling. Thivakka Brahmin who officiated at the arrival of the Theri and the royal guests was gifted with the 8th shoot of the Bodhi (Ashtapalamaha Bodhi) by the king in recognition of his commitment at the initial event. From that day on the village gained prominence. People began to arrive at the site and venerate the sacred Bodhi planted at the present spot high up on that rocky outcrop. When some visitors see this sacred Bodhi growing up there, they are surprised at how it had survived so long in the most difficult surroundings.
A new plant needs a lot of care and attention at the initial stages of its growth. If the start is taken care of it will survive for many years. This is what happened to this plant. People took very good care of this sapling, nurturing it day in and day out till it established itself. Constant offerings may have been made and the village was united as a single group protecting their ‘living treasure’. Their religious activities were not limited to a special day or a Poya. The village became a flourishing unit.
But misfortune struck this village when invaders such as Cholas ran through it. These invaders destroyed whatever stood in their way, massacred the villagers and created mayhem in the whole area. With this great destruction the village was lost to the jungle for many centuries and only wild life survived here with ancient structures with historical value going into decay. Miraculously the sacred Bodhi plant survived with only the intermittent rain giving it sustenance.
According to modern history Thanthirimale began its journey back to glory after the former Chief Incumbent Ven. Kudakongaskada Wimalagnana Thera ventured into this hostile territory in 1960. From the day he arrived he got the villagers interested and additionally worked with the officers of the Archaeological Department to resurrect this place from oblivion. When the first Aloka Pooja was held in 2004, difficulties in travel and living were present. Though the village had many lakes and so called water holes agriculture centred around Chena cultivation, in most parts. As the war was on, many young men had joined the forces and the police force. But poverty was apparent.
With the Aloka Pooja this village came to be known around the country and even abroad, with visitors and devotees coming to pay homage, in larger numbers especially on poya days. Despite the threat of war the annual Aloka Pooja continued without a break, and after 2009, with peace finally here to stay, the Aloka Pooja continues with greater enthusiasm.
Thanthirimale will continue to be lit up with villagers having better living conditions all round and pilgrims and visitors in their thousands making the journey to pay their homage at the Ashtapala Mahabodhi.