Naga Viharaya, a hub of Buddhist activity today

Priyanka Kurugala in Jaffna

Heightened Buddhist religious activities are being witnessed at the Jaffna Nagaviharaya. The Naga Viharaya resumed religious activities after the Jaffna peninsular was liberated from the LTTE in 1996.

It began the Katina Pooja in 1997. After eradicating terrorism in 2009, roads were opened for civilians and the Naga Vihara Katina Perahera was resumed with peace returning to the peninsula after three decades.

Jaffna Naga Viharadikari Meegahajandure Siri Wimala Thera explained, the history of the Naga Viharaya and the present situation in Jaffna to the Daily News .

The Nagavihara Katina Perahera was commenced with the participation of Tamils, Sinhalese and the security forces. Now thousands of devotees come to the Nagavihara as well as the Nallur Kovil . In order to develop religious harmony between all ethnic groups in the North the Nagavihara in Jaffna conducts a number of programmers.

The Katina Pooja at the Jaffna Nagavihaara temple was held on a grand scale his year too. Thousands of Buddhists and Hindus participated in the festivities ignoring the heavy rain. Nagavihaaradhikari Siri Wimala Thera told the Daily news that, 48 dancing troops participated in the Perahera 62 cultural events were included in the Perahera programme. Apart from Kandyan dancing Hindus too formed dancing troops that took part in the perahera.

Chief Incumbent of the Hunupitiya Gangaarama Temple Ven Galaboda Gnanissara Thera provided lephant for the Perahera. The Nagavihara temple Katina religious activities were held under the patronage of the Chief Incumbent of the Nagavihara temple Ven Meegahajandure Ghanarathane Thera. A large number of monks participated from many parts of the country.