Kankesanthurai Buddhist Temple Conducts Katina Pooja After 67 Years

The Katina pooja of historical Tissa Raja Maha Vihara of Kankesanthurai, preceded by a series of religious observances, was held in high profile on 3rd November 2020 with participation of mahasangha and military personnel. The religious festival which initiated on the directives of Commander Security Forces (Jaffna), Major General Senarath Bandara, was well coordinated by Lieutenant Colonel Rasika Panditharathne Commanding Officer 5 Sri Lanka Army Service Corps under the supervision of Forward Maintenance area (North). The Katina pooja of the temple was held after a lapse of 67 years and that is the significance of this very event.

Religious programme commenced on 29th October at Bellanvila Raja Maha Vihara in Colombo with unveiling a statue of Lord Buddha, meant to be brought to Kankesanthurai temple, by Secretary Defence Major General (Retd) Kamal Goonarathne. The valuable Buddha statue was donated by Miss Thushara Thenuwara, Bank Officer Seylan Bank Headquarters. The event was followed by a Bodhi Pooja conducted by chief incumbent of the Bellanvila temple Ven Dr. Bellanvila Dhammaratana thero. The Buddha statue was later venerated for two days at Bellanvila by the devotees offerings alms and gilanpasa.

After offerings by Hon. State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Rear Admiral (Retd) Sarath Weerasekara, a procession of vehicles taking the statue commenced its northwards journey amidst seth pirith of Bellanvila Nayaka thera and reached Mirisawetiya Raja Maha Vihara in Anuradhapura on 1st November afternoon, where chief incumbent of Mirisawetiya temple Ven. Ithalawatunawawe Gnanathilaka thero conducted a Bodhi Pooja. Commander Security Forces (Wanni) Major General Priyantha Perera attended the event.

The following day, after offering by Commander Security Forces (Wanni), the parade started its journey to the destination at Kankesanthurai. On arrival the same day, Commander Security Forces (Jaffna) Major General Senarath Bandara received the Buddha statue and enshrined it in the shrine room of Tissa Maha Vihara. A special Bodhi Pooja including offering of herbal pooja was conducted by Maha Sangha present.

Katina Cheevara pooja (ritual offering of new robes) was brought to Tissa temple from the Security Forces Headquarters (Jaffna) in a glamorous procession and offered to Maha Sangha according to religious traditions on 3rd November. The religious programme concluded with alms-giving and offering of Atapirikara to Bhikkus and katinanisansa sermon by chief incumbent of the Sri Nagaviharaya Viharadhikari Shasthrapathi Ven. Meegahajandure Siriwimala Thero

Commander Security Forces (Jaffna), General Officer Commanding 51 Division, Commander Forward Maintenance area (North), Deputy Commander Northern Naval Command, Deputy Inspector General - Northern Province, Senior Officers of Tri- Forces, Police and Special Task Force, Troops and devotees were present at the event to witness the spectacular Katina Pooja.