Over 220,000 devotees pay homage to Sacred Kapilavastu Relics at
Pelmadulla
Over 220,000 devotees paid homage to the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics at
the Rajamaha Viharaya, Pelmadulla, which was the second venue of the
Exposition on August 22 and 23.
The Sacred Kapilavastu Relics were brought to the Jayanthi Viharaya,
Anuradhapura, the third venue of the ongoing Exposition of the Sacred
Kapilavastu Relics in Sri Lanka, on August 24 from Pelmadulla by
helicopter. The Sacred Relics were on display at the Jayanthi Viharaya,
Anuradhapura from August 24 to 26 .
Well before the start of the exposition at Anuradhapura, a large
number of people gathered to pay homage to the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics
and it was estimated that around 75,000 had gathered prior to the start
of the Exposition.
Due to inclement weather at the previous venue, the transportation of
the relics was delayed by about five hours which delayed the start of
the exposition at Anuradhapura. This did not deter the devotees who
waited patiently in the extremely hot and humid weather that prevailed
in Anuradhapura.
Some devotees had come to the venue the day before and had spent the
night outside the venue exposed to the elements.
Earlier, on arrival at Anuradhapura, the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics
were brought from the helipad to the venue of the Exposition in a
colourful procession.
The procession was led by flag bearers, drummers and dancers. All
along the way, lotus petals were strewn to welcome the Sacred Relics.
The venue of the exposition - Jayanthi Viharaya - was decorated with
flags and hoardings. The city of Anuradhapura had a festive look with
hoardings and buntings put up along the streets. |