03rd October 2021 17:39:10 Hours
The sacred ‘Abishekam’ Pooja of Hindu tradition, held this afternoon (1) at Mayurapathi Sri Badrakali Amman Kovil, Colombo 6 invoked blessings on the forthcoming 72nd Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army and the Army Day (Oct 10).
The ‘Abishekam’ Pooja ceremony, organized by Sri Lanka Army Hindu Association, symbolically blessed the Army Flag at first after taking it into the inner chamber of the Kovil, amidst religious rites and rituals. General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army attending as the Chief Guest for the occasion at the invitation of the Army Hindu Association handed over the Army flag to the clergy for blessings as temple bells began reverberating.
A ten-member team of Hindu priests, led by the Chief Kurukkal, Rev Sivasiri Udaya Ragawa performed the 'Pooja' and added significance and dignity to the commemoration of the forthcoming 72nd Army Anniversary day. The traditional ‘Abishekam’ Pooja, comprised of offering of fruits, ghee and garlands, etc to the deities is regarded as one of the most divine rituals in Hinduism where statues of deities are poured with water or fragrant substances, indeed a rare feature.
General Silva after the observances respectfully made a symbolic cash gift to the temple for its development work on behalf of all serving the organization. The Chief Priest, Kurukkal Rev Sivasiri Udaya Ragawa at this ancient temple closely coordinated day's arrangement with Army organizers.
Brigadier Lal Wijethunga, Chairman, Army Hindu Association welcomed the day's Chief Guest for the offerings. together with several Senior Officers. A representative gathering adhering to health guidelines participated in the day's programme.
The multi religious ceremonies that precede the Army Day and the commemoration of the 72nd Anniversary began on (27) September at the sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy with offering of Gilanpasa,chanting and the invocation of blessings symbolically on all the Army flags. It followed the Islamic prayer session and the Christian Mass at Colombo during Thursday (30).
Major General Priyantha Perera, Chief of Staff, Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda, Deputy Chief of Staff, Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Security Force Commanders, Senior Officers, Members of the Army Hindu Association and a few Other Ranks of Hindu faith joined the prayer sessions.
