Large crowds seen at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi 
pic by Dayaratne Embogama

 By B.G.Chaturanga, Dayaratne Embogama and M.K.Nandasena  

A heavy influx of pilgrims was experienced yesterday at Anuradhapura  Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Atamasthana Temples, Mihintale Rajamaha  Viharaya and Thanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya to attend religious  activities commemorating the advent of Arahat Mahinda who introduced  Buddhism on a day like today.  

A massive crowd of devotees from far and wide observed  Sil at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Atamasthana Temple including Mihintale  Rajamaha Viharaya, Thanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya and other places of  Buddhist worship in Rajarata area. Religious activities including  preaching of sermons, almsgiving, Dhamma forums and Buddha Poojas were  being held from early morning.  

The Poson Poya day programme in Anuradhapura had been  organised by the Poson Festival Committee Chaired by District Secretary  Janaka Jayasundara under the guidance of Chief Incumbent of Atamasthana  Temple Ven.Pallegama Hemarathana Thera.  

 Poson festival in Mihintale Sacred City had been organised  under the guidance of Chief Incumbent of Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya  Ven.Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera and at Thanthirimale Rajamaha  Viharaya under the guidance of Ven. Thanthirimale Chandarathana Thera.   

 Poson Festival Committee had taken steps to provide  facilities to the pilgrims arriving at Anuradhapura, Mihintale and  Thanthirimale. A special police contingent and the army had been  deployed to provide protection to the pilgrims.   

 Meanwhile, tens of thousands of devotees had arrived at  Kataragama and Tissamaharama sacred cities in the early hours of last  morning. More than 2000 devotees had observed Sil at Kirivehera temple.  
A long queue of devotees attending Poojas was experienced  at the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala. Several Dansals to provide meals  and refreshments to the devotees were being held along the road between  Kiri Vehera Temple and Maha Devalaya.