Lanka to build pilgrims rest in Sanchi, India

Chamikara WEERASINGHE in Sanchi, India

INDIA: The Buddha Jayanthi festival at Sanchi Chetiyagiri Vihara in the Madhya Pradesh of India ended on Sunday (26) with a note of prospective socio-economic and cultural relationships between India and Sri Lanka.

The festival, Sanchi Mela, organised by Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Association with the support rendered by the State Government of Madhya Pradesh in India was concluded following a cultural show held at Sanchi Secondary High School playground.

The chief organiser of the Sanchi Buddha Jayanthi celebrations, the Chief Incumbent of the Chetiyagiri temple and the president of the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Association, Ven. Banagala Upatissa nayaka thera.

The Association's General Secretary Thiniyawala Palitha thera, the Collector and the District Magistrate of Raisen District of the Madhdya Pradesh Arun Kumar Bhutt, and Dr. Michiko Ito of Japanese religious organisation, Askar and officials of the State Government of Madhya Pradesh were present.

Indian and Sri Lankan traditional artistes performed on the same stage watched by a large crowd.

Sri Lankan artistes from Jayasarani Dancing Institute of Imbulgoda performed Gajaga Vannama and Kandyan Ves Dance of the Kandyan technique. Meanwhile on the initiative of Urban Development and Water Supply Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, with the blessings of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the National Physical Planning Department of the Ministry has undertaken to implement a project to construct a fully fledged Pilgrims' Rest at the Sanchi Chethiyagiri Viharaya sacred area in India, for the benefit of Buddhist pilgrims world over.

The foundation laying for the building took place in India under the auspices of Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thera, the President of the Sri Lanka Maha Bodhi Society. L.K. Sharma, Minister of Cultural Affairs of the Madhaya Pradesh, India attended the occasion.