News
Generosity abounds at Poson
Devotees flock to Ruwanweli Maha Seya in Anuradhapura
Thousands of pilgrims flocked to Anuradhapura on Friday to observe Poson, while several religious events were held across the country to mark the day on which Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka by Arahat Mahinda some 2,300 years ago.
A record 4600 dansals were held islandwide.
Devotees visited Mihinthalaya, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Atamasthana (the sacred complex of eight temples) and Thanthirimale, where the main events were held. Mihinthalaya Raja Maha Vihara also held an aloka puja and the annual perahera.
The police, army and civil defence forces provided security to pilgrims arriving in Anuradhapura. Over 20,000 police officers were deployed for security at temples.
Thanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya: President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday declared open the annual Poson aloka pooja conducted by Wijeya Newspapers. Pic by G.B.Chathuranga
There were 322 Poson zones island-wide where pandals and decorative lanterns were on view.
Lifeguards were posted to ensure the security of pilgrims who take a dip in the reservoirs in Anuradhapura.
Replicas of Mihinthalaya were erected in suburban areas, showcasing the dawn of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
To mark the event, the state released 289 prisoners under presidential pardons.
As Poson was celebrated with dansal and religious events, there were also some unusual dansals.
Galigamuwa. Pic by Ravindra Welagedara
At the Motor Traffic Department in Narahenpita, officials had organised an engine tune-up dansal.
In Thirappane, an unusual dansala offered free repairs for vehicles going to Anuradhapura, Mihintalaya, and Thanthirimale.
At Ja Ela, Kotugoda junction, salon owners offered free haircuts to the elderly and less abled.
The staff and students of the Ratmalana School for the Visually Impaired held a cassava dansala.
In Panadura, a group of beauticians gave free skin treatments to women.
At one dansala in Nochchiyagama, shoes were repaired for free. Another one offered perfumes. In Seeduwa, one dansala gave away hands-free sets.
Raj Rasaiyya
Wijeya Newspapers Ltd., the publisher of the Sunday Times, is holding its annual Poson aloka pooja, lighting up the Thanthirmale Rajamaha viharaya, where the chief incumbent is Ven Thanthirimale Chandraratne Thera. It was opened by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. Chairman Ranjit Wijewardene.
United National Party Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardena, Presidential Advisor Sagala Ratnayake, former ministers S.M. Chandrasena and P. Harrison and Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon were on hand. The three-day aloka pooja ends today.
There were dansal in the city of Colombo, and public health officials said they were monitoring them for cleanliness.
Long lines were seen outside dansal offering rice, manioc, ice cream and fruit drinks.
A dansala in Rajagiriya provided rice with eight curries. Organiser Sisira Wanniatchchi said he was hosting it for the 16th time.
K.G. Badrani Jayakody said every year she eats from Mr. Wanniarchchi’s poson dansala as the meals provided by him are hygienic, tasty, and filling.
Another dansala organiser, Raj Rasaiyya, said he had been holding the rice dansala with his two brothers at Maradana for the 16th time. He provided a meal of rice and three curries.
Dansals in Maradana. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Poson Perahera in Kandy. Pic by L.B. Senaratne
Poson Perahera in Kandy. Pic by L.B. Senaratne
Rajagiriya dansala: Hosted by Sisira Wanniatchchi for the 16th time
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