Nearly 1.5 m Poson pilgrims expected in A’pura

Lakshmi de Silva

This year’s Poson festival one of main national festivals, will be celebrated on a grand scale after defeating the LTTE terrorists who had made it impossible for Buddhist and other religious pilgrims to visit important places in the north, north central and eastern provinces.

The main Poson festival to mark the advent of Arahant Mahinda, called Mahindagamanaya will be held at Mihintale and Anuradhapura on a grand scale. Nearly 1.5 million pilgrims are expected at Anuradhapura, District Secretary H.M. K. Herath told the Daily News yesterday.

Illuminations at Ruwanweli Seya, Jethawanaramaya, Mihintale and Tanthrimale and the main Poson perahera at Mihintale would be the major events during Poson.

“We are providing all the facilities to devotees in collaboration with the Anuradhapura Municipal Council and NGOs.

Five water bowsers would be used to provide clean drinking water to devotees. Semi-permanent toilets have also been built,” Herath said. Strict security measures are to be adopted in and around the city of Anuradhapura for civilian safety.

Special train services during the Poson season will arranged by the Railway Department while authorities warned passengers of trains not to put their heads out of railway compartments after passing Deduru Oya as the bridges along the railway track are narrow. The public are also warned to be cautious when bathing in reservoirs though the water levels are low.

There will be warning signboards near such places and lifeguards will also be present, the District Secretary said.