Emotional farewell to Sacred Kapilavasthu Relics

Priyanka KURUGALA

The three - week long Exposition of the Kapilavasthu Sacred Relics in Sri Lanka will end today with the Relics being flown back to India following a two - day Exposition at the historic Kelani Rajamaha Viharaya.

An estimated five million devotees paid homage to the Sacred Relics since arrival in the country on August 19 while the nation was caught up in an unprecedented religious fervour.

Tens of thousands of pilgrims braved the elements and stood in unending queues to get a glimpse of the casket and worship the Relics which arrived in the country for the second time in 34 years.

Another rush of devotees are expected at Kelani Rajamaha Viharaya today in a final scramble to view and worship the Relics for the last time where the Exposition will end at 8am.

A special pooja will commence at 10.30am. The Sacred Relics will leave Kelani Rajamaha Viharaya at 11am to be flown from the Bandaranaike International Airport at 2.30pm. Counselor (Press Information and Culture) at the Indian High Commission Birendra Singh said the exposition of the Sacred Relics were held at 10 shrines.