20th July 2016 19:54:55 Hours
‘Ethugalpurayai - Daham Amawai’, the annual Esala Zone, organized for the third consecutive time by the Sri Lanka National Guard (SLNG) Headquarters at Maligapitiya ground commenced on Tuesday (19), amid chanting of Seth Pirith by members of the Maha Sangha.
This mammoth religious spectacle that reminds us of the significance of the Esala Full Moon Poya day in the annals of Buddhist history saw its birth as a novel project of Major General Udaya Perera, Colonel of the Regiment, SLNG with the blessings of the Commander of the Army three years ago.
This religious zone, comprised of a huge pandol which narrates the life-story of ‘Angulimala’, 25 colourful hand-crafted lanterns, devotional song sessions, cultural dance performances, wide screen Buddhist film shows and many other special features, will continue to be open to the public free of charge until Thursday (21) evening.
The inaugural ceremony on Tuesday (19), headed by Mrs Amara Piyaseeli Rathnayake, Governor for North-Western province at the invitation of Major General Udaya Perera was attended by more than 200 Buddhist monks who chanted Seth Pirith and blessed the project.
Mrs Piyaseeli Rathnayake as the Chief Guest declared opened the ‘Ethugalpurayai - Daham Amawai’ religious spectacle.
