Over 100 bhikkhus participate in Galle Pindapatha Charika

Mahinda P Liyanage, Galle Daily News correspondent

Corresponding to the islandwide religious ceremonies organised in commemoration of the 260th anniversary of the establishment of the Shyamopali Maha Nikaya, a programme of Pindapatha Charika (house to house walk for meals with the begging bowl in hand by Buddhist monks) with the participation of 100 Buddhist monks was held in Galle on Friday.

The programme was organised by the Galle District Secretariat under the guidance of the Secretariat's Buddhist Affairs coordinator Ven Urugamuve Dhammadassi Thera on the instructions of Galle District Secretary Ravindra Hewawitharane.

The Maha Sangha from four directions of the Galle city walked down the streets and reached Hall De Galle on Baladhaksha Mawatha where they had their dhaval dhana (mid-day meal).

A section of the Sangha gathered at Mahamodara Gunodhaya Pirivena and proceeded along the Colombo-Galle main road passing the Galle Central Bus stand through Gamini Mawatha while the second group of monks marched along Wackwella Road from Atapattam Vihara near Koggala Kade Junction towards the venue.

A third congregation started from Weliwattha Vijayananda Pirivena and reached the hall winding through Gnanobhasa Mawatha while the fourth set of Bhikkus assembled near Galle, Magalle Sri Lanka Navy Dhakkshina Command Headquarters, and came to the location walking through Pettigalawatte Road and Galle Sea Street.