Sanchi Chetiyagiri Maha Vihara will hold Vesak celebrations on grand scale

The Buddhists in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, are making arrangements to hold the Vesak festival in a grand manner for the first time, this year, in association with the Sanchi Mahabodhi Chetiyagiri Maha Vihara.

Incumbent of Sanchi Chetiyagiri Maha Vihara Ven. Banagala Wimalatissa Thera said that arrangements have been made to conduct a series of Vesak celebrations in grand manner on Vesak Poya and the following day (May 23 and 24) centering on the Sanchi Mahabodhi Chetiyagiri Vihara which was built in the Sanchi area in Madhya Pradesh, India.

According to the advice of Chief Incumbent of Sanchi Chetiyagiri Viharaya and Chief Sanghanayaka of Japan Most Venerable Banagala Upatissa Thera, the Vesak celebrations will commence with a Buddha Pooja with milk rice for the relics of Lord Buddha and Agrasravaka (Ven. Sariputra and Moggallana Theras) on May 23. A beautiful Vesak procession will also be organised from Sanchi Vandana Niketana to Chetiyagiri Viharaya with the participation of Buddhists and Buddhist monks from Sanchi, Vidisa and Bhopal areas in Madhya Pradesh. It will be followed by a Buddha Pooja at the shrine for the relics of Lord Buddha and relics of Agrasravaka at Chethiyagiri Vihara.

Apart from that, many dansalas (almsgiving ceremonies) will be held with the support of the local residents for the visiting devotees on Vesak Poya, Ven. Udugama Thapassi Thera said.

It is significant that all these events are conducted with the active participation of the Buddhists and people belonging to other religions in India, for the first time.

Arrangements have also been made to hold a procession and dansala under the leadership and participation of the Buddhists of the Karuna Buddhist Society in Bhopal along with the participation of Buddhists in other parts of Madhya Pradesh, on May 25.

The procession and several dansalas centering on Sanchi city and Chetiyagiri Viharaya will be held by the local people with the support of Sri Lankan devotees. Moreover, arrangements are underway to hold a Bodhi Pooja at the sapling of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi on the premises of Sanchi Buddhist University. A Buddha Pooja will also be held in the evening, Ven. Wimalatissa Thera said.

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