Ancient capital prepares to mark Poson despite fund constraints

Preparations are being made to host Poson-related religious and other activities after a lapse of three years, despite much less funds from the state this year.

Poson Poya marks the day when Arahant Mahinda Thera visited the country and established the Buddha Dhamma.

A state festival will be held at Mihintale in the Anuradhpura district. The District Secretariat has been handed Rs 3m, said the secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Somaratne Vidanapathirana.

Anuradhapura District Secretary Janaka Jayasundara, who is also chairman of the Poson committee, confirmed receiving the funds, but said it was not enough.

“In 2018, the Government provided Rs. 5 million for the annual Poson perehera at Mihintale but this time there’s only Rs. 3m,’’ he said.

Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya chief incumbent Ven. Walawahengunaweve Dhammarathana Thera has said he will seek sponsorships, but there is no donor for the ‘aloka pooja’.

“The chief incumbent said he will somehow find a sponsor,” Mr Jayasundara said.

The Government is not providing as many facilities to pilgrims as in previous years. Electricity and water supply are also affected.

Notwithstanding the challenges, Mr Jayasundara is hopeful Poson activities will continue.

There will be programmes at each of the “atamasthana” (eight sacred places of Anuradhapura) including the Ruwanweliseya, Abhayagiri and Sri Maha Bodhi as well as in Thantirimale.

At Mihintale, the ‘sathipiritha’ began on May 25 and will continue for a week until May 31. It ends with the ‘heel dana’ (morning meal) on June 1.

Five groups will sing devotional songs in Mihintale. At Ruwanweliseya such a programme will be held over three days.

‘Dansal’ will be set up, including 15 in Mihintale, among which nine will serve rice. There will be another 17 in the atamasthana area and some in Thantirimale.

The secretary of the Public Health Inspectors Union S. I. Bopitiyage said: “There was a significant increase (of dansal) for Vesak and we can expect the same for Poson. We advise people to register the dansal and to organise them in an orderly manner, considering the nutritional aspects as well.’’