President pays homage to Sacred Relics for second time

Priyanka KURUGALA and Kanthale Group Sumithra Kumarihami

President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid homage and worshipped the Kapilawasthu Sacred Relics at the Kantale Agrabodhi Viharaya yesterday morning, Presidential Co-ordinator on Religious Affairs Ven Getamanne Gunananda said.

This is the second occasion on which the President paid homage to the Sacred Relics since they was brought from India, the first being when he received the Relics at the BIA and at the religious ceremonies that followed.

Thousands of devotees streamed into the Agrabodhi Viharaya to pay homage since the Relics were brought to Kantale on Monday. The Relics were to be taken to the Mananvita Sri Sambuddha temple in Gampola today.

A friendly climate prevailed in Kantale yesterday replacing the scorching sun in the region facilitating the thousands of devotees who streamed to the Agrabodhi Viharaya to pay homage to the Sacred Relics .

There was no rain or scorching sun normally prevailing in the area. Devotees were also provided with all the facilities enabling them to conduct their religious observances without any hassle .

There were also several dansalas catering to the pilgrims providing them with cool drinks and milk with toilet facilities too provided. Kantale Welunna Rajamaha Vihara chief incumbent, Ven Yatawara Punnyarathana Thera worked tirelessly to ensure the Sacred Relics were accorded their due reverence while also looking into the welfare of pilgrims. Buddhsasana and Religious Affairs Deputy Minister M K A D S Gunawardana too extended his patronage to facilitate the pilgrims and in organizing this religious event.

Trincomalee District Secretary Major General T T Ranjith de Silva also made a huge contribution.

The Kapilawasthu Sacred Relics will be broght to the Gampola Naranvita Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Temple today.

The exposition of the Relics at the Agrabodhi Viharaya will end at 6.00am today before being taken to Gampola at 8.00am.

Prime Minister and Buddhsasana and Religious Affairs Minister D M Jayaratne’s Private Secretary Anuradha Jayarathna will organize the Sacred Relics exposition programme in Gampola, Gunananda Thera said.

The exposition of the Sacred Relics will continue at the Naranvita Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Temple, Gampola – August 29, 30, Sri Sumangala Pirivena, Wariyapola - August 31, September 1 and Matara Kotikagoda Rajamaha Viharaya, Matara – September 2 to 4 and 5.