The National ‘Aluth Sahal Mangalya,’ one of the most venerated ancient agricultural rituals to offer the maiden harvest of Maha season to the Buddha, was held under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi premises today. The Aluth Sahal Mangalya is an annual custom to set aside the first portion of the recently recede harvest to prepare Buddha Pooja. President Rajapaksa performed the traditional custom of filling the bowl with fresh rice amidst the chanting of Seth Pirith by the Maha Sangha led by Ven. Basnayake Nilame of the Saman Devalaya Nigara Jayasundara Bandara handed over the bowl of ghee to the President to pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. Following the traditional ceremony, the President paid homage to the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi, and obtained blessings.

Source: The Nation April 04, 2021 16:30 UTC