Aluth Sahal Mangalyaya at Anuradhapura on April 10, 11

Sirisena Liyanage, Anuradhapura group corr.

ANURADHAPURA: The annual Aluth Sahal Mangalyaya, national ceremony organised by the Agrarian Services Department will be held at the Jayasri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura on April 10 and 11 under the patronage of Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake.

Fertilizer subsidy helped to yield the highest ever paddy harvest this year and farmers attribute this to the 'Mahinda Chinthana' arrangements, said Agrarian Services and Farmer Community Development Minister S. M. Chandrasena.

The traditional rites will begin with the boiling of pots of milk at the four gates of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi on April 10 at 6 a.m. Thereafter, the Shabda Pooja including the beating of drums will continue till 6 p.m. when a Mal Pahan and Gilanpasa Pooja will be held at the Bodhi premises.

An offering of lotuses will follow at 7 a.m. after which an all night Pirith Ceremony will be held till 6 a.m. on April 11. The programme on April 11 morning will also include a 'Kiri Ahara Pooja' at 6 a.m. and Heel-dana to the Maha Sangha at 6.30 a.m.

The procession carrying the new harvest of paddy for the Aluth Sahal Mangalyaya will begin from the Anuradhapura city at 7 a.m. At 10.30 a.m. a large bowl placed at the Bodhi will be filled with the pots of rice brought in the procession as the Maha Sangha Chants Seth Pirith. The festival will conclude with a Sanghika Dana to 39 members of the Maha Sangha on April 11 forenoon.