Abundance of blessings as Sacred Relics leave Kelaniya

Priyanka KURUGALA

Thousands of devotees braved the heavy rains early yesterday morning to pay homage to the Kapilawasthui Sacred Relics for the last time at Manelwatte Temple before it left on its next journey to the Pelmadulla Rajamaha Viharaya.

The heavy downpour after a long spell of drought was linked to the presence of the Sacred Relics by devotees whose chants grew louder at what was perceived to be a miracle.

"The heavy rains that came down while the Sacred Relics were being taken out of the temple was clearly a blessing to the country," Presidential Co-ordinator on Religious Affairs Ven Getamanne Gunananda Thera said.

The thera paid tribute to the Police and voluntary groups who ensured orderliness among the thousands of devotees who converged at the Manelwatte Temple premises to venerate the Sacred Relics.

Meanwhile, thousands of devotees gathered at Gankanda Stadium in Pelmadulla from around 4 pm on Tuesday eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Sacred Kapilawasthu Relics to their domain.

According to reports, a seven kilometre queue formed outside the stadium wending its way to the Balangoda town where devotees waited for nearly 14 hours for the arrival of the Sacred Relics. Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa was directed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to coordinate the arrival of the Sacred Relics in Ratnapura, the thera said.

According to our Akurana group corr J M Hafees, the exposition of the Kapilawasthu Sacred Relics will take place on August 29 and 30 at Gampola, Naranwita, Sri Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi Viharaya.

The Sacred Relics were brought to Sri Lanka following a special request by President Rajapaksa to Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to mark the 2600th Sri Sambuddhathva Jayanthi. The Relics will be brought to Gampola Naranwita Sri Sambuddhathwa Vihayara for veneration on the request of Prime Minister D M Jayaratne who is also the Buddha Sasana Minister.

The Sacred Relics of the Buddha initially placed at Kelaniya Manelwatta Viharaya, Pelmadulla Rajamaha Viharaya, Anuradhapura Sri Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi Viharaya and Kantale Agrabodhi Viharaya will subsequently be brought to Naranwita Sri Sambuddhathwa Viharaya and thereafter will be taken to Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Pirivena and Matara Kotikagoda Rajamaha Viharaya for veneration by the devotees. The Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Ministry requested the Buddhist public to visit the exposition premises clad in white Meanwhile, the Sacred Relics will arrive at the Anuradhapura Jayanthi Viharaya tomorrow at 6am from Pelmadulla Rajamaha Viharaya. All religious activities will be held under the patronage of Pelmadulla Rajamaha Viharaya and Sri Pada Temple Chief Incumbent Ven Bengamuwe Dhamma Dinna Thera, the thera said. Plans have also be made to receive the Sacred Relics at Tissamaharama Temple on a request by President Rajapaksa, the thera said.