Monks from the south attend Katina Pinkama in Jaffna

The annual Katina ceremony at the historic Naga Viharaya in Jaffna town got under way recently with the participation of a number of Buddhist monks headed by temple's incumbent, Ven. Meegahajandure Gunaratana Thera.

The ceremony organized under the auspices of the incumbent was assisted by troops in 51 Division under the command of Major General U.B. L Fernando on the instructions of Major General S. D Tennekoon, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna. The ceremonies that commenced the previous night included a Bodhi Puja and an all-night Pirith chanting ceremony. The ceremony reached its climax with the Katina Vasthra puja.

Members of the Security Forces and the Police were there to join these ceremonies that went on till the following morning until the Katina Vasthra was brought to the temple in procession. Rich with Buddhist cultural traditions, the colourful procession attended by hundreds of troops started off from the 51 Division Headquarters and paraded the streets to reach the temple. A large gathering of monks and devotees attended the ceremonies.