Amadahara Vesak Zone begins

COLOMBO: Lake House and its neighbourhood was bathed in an ethereal glow as giant illuminations sprang to light at the press of a button last night to begin the Amadahara Vesak panorama held for the fourth consecutive year under the auspices of the ANCL.

Amadahara provides a Vesak feast where all features of the Vesak celebrations will be brought to life in all its glory and splendour within a five square kilometre zone for three days from May 1 to 3.

Centred on Lake House and Sri Sambuddhaloka Viharaya the panorama will spread over an area covering almost the entire Fort and Pettah extending to Gamini Hall junction along D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha on one side and the Colombo Port, Galle Face and the Technical junction along Olcott Mawatha on the other. Both State and private institutions assist Lake House in the event in a big way by providing their own contribution to heighten the panoramic effect.

Amadahara is replete with all the local features associated with Vesak celebrations such as dansal, giant lanterns, special illuminations, mini pandals, stage plays, puppet shows etc.

The centrepiece of the celebrations was the Bhakthi Gee recital on a specially constructed platform.

Orange Electric was the main sponsor of Amadahara for the fourth consecutive year. Five roads - D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, Olcott Mawatha, Chatham Street and the Galle Road roundabout within the Zone are illuminated during the three day festival.