Special Wesak Pinkam ceremonies in India

Special religious functions will be held in Sri Lanka as well as in India in connection with the Vesak Full Moon Day. The General Secretary of the Indian Maha Bodhi Society the Chief Sanghanayake of India venerable Dr. Dodangoda Revatha Thero said special religious programmes will be held at Sri Dharmarajika Chethiya Viharaya in Kolkata, Maha Bodhi Centre in Bodgaya, Isipathana Migadaya Centre in Baranas, New Delhi Centre, Maha Maya Wishva Shanthi Centre in Lumbini, Buddha Vihara Centre in Laknaw and Kalinga Buddha Vihara Centre in Danthapura.

Under the Pinkam series in Bodgaya sil observances will be carried out at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya and Buddha Jayanthi Peraheras will be held in collaboration with 62 temples. The Dhamma sermon will be delivered by the chief incumbent of the Bodgaya venerable H. Saddhatissa Thero.
After that the new Dana Shala will be vested with the Maha Sangha. Lighting of 84,000 lamps at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya also will take place.

The pinkam ceremonies in Baranas will be held under the Chairmanship of Venerable Pelawatte Seevali Thero. The New Delhi ceremonies will be conducted by Venerable Gaspe Saddatissa Thero. The Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India Prasad Kariyawasam will also attend this function. The Dhama sermon in Sinhala will be conducted by venerable A. Wimalarathane Thero while the Dhamma sermon in Hindi will be delivered by the professor of the Pali and Buddhist Studies of Delhi University Venerable Sathyapala Sangharaja Thero.(niz)