Nagadeepa Monks Extend Blessings on Visiting Commander

As one more segment of the day's itinerary, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva this morning (21) paid his homage to the most sacred Nagadeepa Rajamaha Viharaya in Nainattivu islands, off Jaffna in order to receive blessings of this most hallowed place of worship, consecrated by the Buddha, some thousands of years ago.

During his stay there, he called on the incumbent monk and shared a few thoughts with the monk and inquired into the development work around the sacred precincts. Members of the Maha Sangha invoked blessings on the visiting Army Chief and extended greetings on the new office at the same occasion.

The Nagadeepa Purana Rajamaha Viharaya is one of the sixteen most sacred places of worship by the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Pilgrims have been coming to the Nagadeepa since about the 1st century AC to worship at its famous Rajayathana stupa. The Rajayathana stupa was constructed by two warring Naga kings, Chulodara and Mahodara, at the site where Lord Buddha during His second visit to the country on a Bak Maha Amawaka Poya Day, five years after attaining Enlightenment, intervened and mediated in settling a dispute over the possession of a gem-studded throne. The precious throne was offered to the lord Buddha, was returned to the Naga Kings and was later enshrined in this Rajayathana stupa.

Before his exit from the temple premises, he left a few thoughts in the Visitors’ Book at the temple and spoke to a few Dayaka Sabha members and several devotees in the premises.Running sport media | nike