Navy facilitates Katina Pinkama ceremony at Nagadeepa Purana Rajamaha Viharaya

The annual Katina Pinkama ceremony of Nagadeepa Purana Rajamaha Viharaya, on the island of Nainativu in Jaffna, was successfully held with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Navy on 30th and 31st of October 2023.

At the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the Northern Naval Command facilitated the conduct of this long standing religious custom. Accordingly, arrangements were in place under the supervision of Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Aruna Tennekoon, seeking the wise counsel of the Chief Incumbent of Nagadeepa Purana Rajamaha Viharaya and Chief Sanghanayake for Northern Province, Most Ven. Nawadagala Padumakitti Tissa Thera.

On 30th October, Katina Robe (Cheewara) was carried in a colourful procession, organized by the Northern Naval Command. Commencing from the Naval Detachment of Nainativu, the procession marched along the streets of the isle, amidst Pirith Chanting, for people to pay their homage, before it returned to the Naval Detachment. On the same evening religious rituals associated with the ceremony were performed at the Nagadeepa Purana Rajamaha Viharaya.

On 31st October, Katina Robe was brought to Nagadeepa Viharaya with pious sentiments and conducted Katina Cheewara Puja. The Navy has made arrangements to offer mid-day alms and ‘Pirikara’ to 35 members of Venerable Maha Sangha and also provided lunch to the community of the Nainativu Island that afternoon.

Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne (Retd), Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Aruna Tennekoon, officers and sailors from the Northern Naval Command and a group of devotees were also present on this occasion.