State Poson Festival in Apura and Mihintale Over two million devotees expected at sacred cities today

• Additional trains and buses would be in operation for the convenience of pilgrims and a police contingent of more than 3000 officers would be deployed to provide protection

By Dayaratne Embogama and B.G.Chaturanga

More than two million devotees are expected to attend the state Poson Festival centered in Anuradhapura and Mihintale sacred cities today as decided by the Poson Festival Committee.

Chairman of the Poson Festival Committee and Anuradhapura District Secretary Janaka Jayasundra said yesterday steps had been taken to provide facilities and protection for the heavy influx of pilgrims.
He said additional trains and buses would be in operation for the convenience of pilgrims and a police contingent of more than 3000 officers would be deployed to provide protection.

A series of religious programmes have been organized at Anuradhapura Atamasthana temples including Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara and Thanthirimale Rajamaha Vihara on Poson Poya day which marks the advent of Arahath Mahinda who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka.   All activities at the state Poson festival have been organized under the guidance of Chief Incumbent of Atamasthana Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara, Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera and Chief Incumbent of the Thanthirimale Rajamaha Vihara Ven. Thanthirimale Chandrarathana Thera. Steps had been taken to hold an exposition of sacred relics of the Buddha at the Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara during the Poson week.

Several organisation had taken steps to hold more than 500 Dan Salas to provide meals and refreshment to devotees visiting the Anuradhapura Atamasthana temples, Mihintale and Thanthirimale sacred cities. People’s Bank would provide breakfast to devotees who observe Sil at the Mahamewna Uyana opposite the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi.

Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera said Dhamma forums would be held near the Ruwanweliseya .
Meanwhile the “ Lankadeepa Poson Aloka Pooja” at Thanthirimale organized by Wijeya Newspapers Ltd for the 20th consecutive occasion which commenced yesterday is to be continued today and tomorrow. History has recorded that Maharahath Therani Sanghamitta who brought the sapling of the Jayasiri Maha Bodhi had stayed for a night at Thanthirimale on the way to Anuradhapura.

Chief Incumbent of Thanthirimale temple Ven. Thanthirimale Chandarathana Thera who commended Wijeya News Papers Ltd for holding the Aloka Pooja for the 20th consecutive year despite the prevailing economic crisis in the country pointed out that the concept of Aloka Pooja which commenced from Thanthirimale had spread to other places of Buddhist worship.

Ven. Thera further said “ Lankadeepa Aloka Pooja drew the attention of prominent personalities in the country and Buddhists all over the world to Thanthirimale historic temple and that it had resulted in a vast development in cultural and socio-economic conditions 
in the area.