Vesak in Chennai on grand scale

Rasika Somarathna

COLOMBO: The Annual Vesak Festival organised by both Sri Lanka and India Mahabodhi Societies is now being celebrated in Chennai on a grand scale as a part of the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi celebrations.

Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thera, the President of the Maha Bodhi Society said that this year's Vesak celebrations would help create a Buddhist Revival both in India and in Sri Lanka. Ven. Thera said that since the launching of this programme in 2000, Buddhism has become popular among the Tamil community in India.

This has created mutual understanding among Tamils and Sinhalese. The colourfully decorated Chennai town welcomed the newly ordained Monks on May 3 from the batch of 25 and ordinations will continue during the festive period. Ven. Tiriyawala Palitha Thera will preside over the ordination ceremonies.

The devotees have made arrangements to conduct a Sil campaign on Vesak Full Moon Day. On May 13 there will be an Eye Clinic and a distribution of spectacles free of charge. The Sri Lanka Deputy High Commissioner in India Sumith Nakandala will garland the Ambedkhar statue in Chennai.

The commemorative lecture will be delivered at the Museum at Egmore by Prof.S. Padmanadan, Professor for History at the Peradeniya University.

Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thera, the President of Maha Bodhi Society in Sri Lanka and Chief incumbent of Sanchi Chetiyagiri Viharaya in India and Chief Sanganayake of Japan, Indra Vijaya Foundation and Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in India will coordinate all activities connected with the Vesak festival. The Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation is the main sponsor.