02nd March 2022 19:58:23 Hours
A spectacle of extraordinary nature and exclusive in reality, apparently for the first time after reigns of our past royalties was at the fore in the general area of Maningamuwa in Anuradhapura along Thanthirimale road this morning (26) when a record gathering of more than 20,000 devotees, together with members of the Maha Sangha, Hon Minister S.M Chandrasena, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva, members of the indigenous community, Gajaba Regiment HQ troops and children joined hands together to plant varieties of Pichcha saplings in a land patch of 21 acres, belonging to the Maningamuwa temple branch of the Gampaha Bawun Pellassa Temple.
The concept of this ‘Pichchawane Maha Pushpa Udyanaya’ (Garden of Jasmine Flowers), mooted by Ven Walpola Gothama Thero, Chief Incumbent at Gampaha Bawun Pellassa Temple who is a very erudite preacher cum a famed meditation practitioner with sponsoring partnership provided by ‘Neth’ FM radio is meant to uninterruptedly provide monks with Pichcha flowers for worship of the most sacred Ruwanweli Maha Seya at Anuradhapura on a daily basis. This practice as the legend says has existed during royal times but this is the first time an attempt of this nature was rejuvenated in contemporary times in the form of a “Pushpa Udyanaya” exclusively for this purpose.
Amidst religious observances, General Shavendra Silva joining the inauguration of planting of those 5000 Pichcha saplings planted the first few, together with members of the Maha Sangha, Hon Minister S.M Chandrasena, Chairman, Neth FM Radio, Uru Warige Wannila Aththo (head of the indigenous community), Gajaba Regiment troops and devotees who had flocked there. Strict health guidelines were observed during the inaugural ceremony. Hon Minister extolling the project commended saying that this was the first such ‘Udyanaya’ was established in the ancient city of Anuradhapura.
As per Commander's instructions, Gajaba Regiment troops will take care of those plants until they are fully grown after arranging technical needs and watering facilities with sponsorship provided by Neth FM radio.
The Army Chief during the event also shared a few thoughts with the monks and the chieftain of the indigenous community present there and expressed his happiness over the project.
Ven Thanthirimale Chandra Rathana Nayake Thero, Incumbent at Thantirimale Raja Maha Viharaya, Ven Wathurakumbure Dhammaratana Thero, Incumbent at Nelligala International Buddhist Centre and Kuragala Monastery, Novice Monks, Senior Military Officers and more than 20,000 Buddhist devotees participated in this rare ceremony.
