Aluthsahal Mangallaya held at Sri Dalada Maligawa

By L.B. Senaratne  

Aluthsahal Mangallaya or the New Rice festival was held at  the Sri Dalada Maligawa inner Shrine room offering 32 measures of rice  in a golden Bowl to the Sacred Tooth Relic.   

Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela and Nayake Thera  in Charge, Venerable Tibbotuwawe Medankara Thera officiated the  ceremony.  

The rice was bought into the Maligawa from the Maligawa granaries at Pallekelle.  

 Aluth Sahal or newly harvested rice was distributed on  Wednesday (13) among 32 Devales and Temples that existed as at 1815  to perform the offering today.  

The ritual of Aluth Sahal Mangalya dates back to the reign of King Wimaladharmasuriya.