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Kiri Vehera is an ancient stupa which is situated in kataragam,
Sri Lanka. It is built by King Mahasena (3rd
century BC) means 'Who has a great army'. In all the ancient sources Kirivehera is called
Magulmahaseya, which means ‘the milk stupa’ came into use.
The stupa was renovated in 1912 and sits on a platform 130
feet square and 10 feet high. Stupa is 95 ft. in height with a circumference of
280 ft.
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| Prince Siddhartha cut of his Hair |
Legend says,
that the sword that prince Siddhartha cut his hair off at the time of his
renunciation is deposited in this stupa.
According to the chronicles of Sri Lanka, there are sixteen places hallowed by visits of
the Buddha. History says that Lord Buddha visited Kataragama on His second of
three appearances in Sri Lanka. King Mahasena then welcomed the Lord and his
retinue with due honour and found delight. King Mahasena himself took refuge in
the Triple Gem on the spot and vowed to protect and promote the Buddhist
religion and its followers for all time to come.
Bodhi Tree,
Kataragama
A sapling
had been planted at Kataragama from the Bodhi Tree at Anuradhapura.
Kataragama Maha Devale
The ritual procedures practice at the Kataragama Maha Devale. They
believed that, help to create wisdom, compassion and fulfill wishes. The pujas
are held daily, weekly, etc. at the Maha Devale, There is also the
strategically important Esala Perahera or ritual procession conducted nightly
during the waxing moon of Esala (July-August). It is the crowning feature of
the Esala festival celebrated in fulfillment of the kap hitaweema or vow-fixing ceremony held at the
Maha Devale forty-five days before the festival. The exact dates are
astrologically determined.
King Mahasena in ancient mythology refers to wargod Karttikeya,
the fiery youth born of the Pleiades constellation who took birth on earth to
defeat a super demon who, was oppressing gods and mankind alike.
Some modern scholars believe that Kataragama Deviyo was a human
chieftain who later was elevated to divine. But local oral tradition insists
that god King Mahasena is became The God and still alive and reigning in
Kataragama even today. Most of Buddhists believe that the God or King of
Kataragama is actually a great bodhisathva vested with extraordinary ability to
help those who appeal to him.
Have U Seen Befoure..??
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| Kataragama |
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