‘Hiru Rajadharma Pratipada’ offers alms to 1,000 monks at Kelaniya Temple

The ‘Hiru Rajadharma Pratipada’ programme, organised by Hiru Media Network to mark the Esala Full Moon Poya Day, is currently underway, at the historic Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara.

During this grand religious festival, the massive almsgiving for 1,000 Buddhist monks, marking as the largest almsgiving in recent history, was offered for the second time, organised under the leadership of Hiru Media Network Chairman Rayynor Silva.

Additionally, a Sath Buddha Vandana (worshiping seven Buddhas), floral and incense offerings, alongside a grand illumination puja by illuminating the Kelaniya stupa with six colours, are scheduled to take place this afternoon (29).

The Hiru Rajadharma Pratipada programme commenced at dawn today (29) under the devotional concept of Hiru Media Network Chairman Rayynor Silva to mark the Esala Full Moon Poya Day.

Throughout the morning, the Kelaniya sacred grounds was filled with large crowds of devotees who arrived from all parts of the country.

Observance of Eight Precepts to thousands of gathered devotees was conducted by Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Chief Incumbent Venerable Deniyaye Panyaloka Buddharakkhita Thera.

The morning sermon was delivered by Venerable Kotmale Kumarakasyapa Thera.

The ‘Amadam Sisila’ dhamma discussion was conducted with the participation of Rajakeeya Panditha Venerable Bopatthe Somananda Thera and Professor Pradeep Weerasinghe.

Subsequently, after conducting the midday Sambuddha Puja for the Buddha, the great almsgiving for 1,000 monks — marking the largest almsgiving in history — was offered led by Hiru Media Network Chairman Rayynor Silva.

A dining hall exceeding 300 metres in length, prepared for this grand almsgiving, stands out as the largest dining hall ever constructed in the country.

The dedication of the almsgiving as Sanghika was performed by Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Chief Incumbent Venerable Deniyaye Panyaloka Buddharakkhita Thera.