Liquor taboo among Sri Pada pilgrims

by S.M. Wijayaratne, Kurunegala Cor

The annual pilgrimage season to the sacred Sri Pada mountain will begin on December 16 (tomorrow) and will continue for six months until the Vesak Full Moon Poya day in 2014.

All arrangements are being made for the convenience of devotees who come from all parts of the country to climb the sacred mountain. Millions of devotees belonging to all faiths climb the Sri Pada, reciting devotional songs.

Ven. Bengamuwe Dhammadinna Nayaka Thera, the Chief Incumbent of Shrine Sripada and Chancellor of the Uva-Wellassa University told the Sunday Observer that the ceremony of Pirith chanting was to take place from the night of the 13th at Galpotthawala Sripada temple until the dawn of today. The gold statue of God Saman and the Relics of the Buddha would be carried to the summit of the holy mountain today.

Special security arrangements have been made with the help of the Armed Forces and Police Department.