Vesak celebrated with piety, fervour
COLOMBO: Vesak which marks the Birth, Enlightenment and the Passing
Away (Parinibbana) of the Noble One was observed throughout Sri Lanka
yesterday with fervour, piety and solemnity by millions of Buddhists.
Devotees of other religions too joined in the celebrations.
Temples throughout Sri Lanka were teeming with white-clad devotees
who had flocked to perform the customary Vesak day rites and religious
observances. A large number of devotees thronged major Buddhist centres
such as Kandy (Sri Dalada Maligawa), Kelaniya, Anuradhapura (Atamasthanaya),
Bellanwila, Kataragama (Kiri Vehera) and Polonnaruwa (Sama Cetiya).
The National Vesak Week celebrations, essentially entwined with the
nation's cultural heritage and ethos this year too was observed giving
prominence to spiritual aspects.
Large crowds thronged the City yesterday to view the colourful Vesak
pandals and giant lanterns, the puppetry shows and enjoy the myriad of
other amusements while also partaking from the many food and drinks
dansalas. Vesak Zones attracted huge crowds near Lake House, Bauddhaloka
Mawatha and Kollupitiya-Temple Trees.
People belonging to all communities and faiths were seen along the
City roads admiring Vesak pandals and lanterns.
Residences throughout the country were also colourfully illuminated.
Pandals are also being displayed in several key provincial cities.
All radio and TV stations featured special Vesak programmes from
temples throughout the country.
Some of the posters and banners had quotations from the sacred
scriptures to create the necessary religious milieu for the visiting
crowds.
Travelling Bhakthi Gee troupes performed at several key venues in the
City. Police deployed thousands of personnel both in uniform and civvies
to provide security in key cities and warned devotees and sightseers to
maintain vigilance.
Special traffic arrangements were in place to accommodate the large
number of vehicles entering Colombo.
Vesak was also celebrated in many predominantly Buddhist countries in
the region. |