Navy assists the annual Katina Ceremony in Nagadeepa Raja Maha Viharaya

The annual Katina Ceremony at Nagadeepa Purana Raja Maha Viharaya was conducted with the Navy’s assistance in a splendid manner on 17 and 18 October 2019.

This Annual Katina Pooja, organized by the Northern Naval command under the directives of Commander of the Navy and with the guidance of the Commander Northern Naval Area, took place with the blessings of the Chief Incumbent of Nagadeepa Purana Raja Maha Viharaya, Most Venerable Damma Keerthi Sri Navandagala PadumaKiththi Thissa NayakaThero.

‘Katina Pinkama’ is considered as the noblest religious activity for Buddhists over the world in which limitless merit is accumulated. The rainy season or Vassana Kalaya of three-months starts from the ‘Esala’ Full Moon Day and ends on ‘Vap’ Full Moon Day. The monks relinquish Vas on Vap Full Moon Day which is called ‘Vas Pavaranaya’. Offering of new robes to Buddhist priests who dwelled ‘Vas’ which is termed as ‘Katina Pujawa’ is a long standing ritual conducted between ‘Vap Full Moon Day’and ‘Il Full Moon Day’.

The ceremony set off with a colourful precession with the participation of naval personnel from all bases of the Northern Command, cultural troop of Sri Lanka Navy and students of Medawachchiya Senanayaka College followed by a ‘Bodhi Puja’ and ‘Dhamma Sherman’. On completion of Almsgiving to Buddhist priests on 18th, the Chief of Defence Staff, Commander Northern Naval Area, Deputy Area Commander and other senior/ junior officers from Navy, Army and Police took part in offering ‘Katina Robes’ to Maha Sangha.

Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer and the crew of SLNS Elara had organized free offering of meals at temple premises with the assistance of other naval bases of Northern Command and most of the Islanders enjoyed it. Command staff, all bases and auxiliary ships attached to Northern Command provided excellent support in organizing this years’ ceremony which drew special attention and appraisal of Chief Incumbent of Nagadeepa Purana Raja Maha Viharaya. The Chief Incumbent bestowed blessings on the Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva, all naval personnel and their family members.