Three-day Poi-Leng festival gets underway

From our Correspondent

TINSUKIA, Jan 5: The three-day ceremonial Poi-Leng, the chariot festival symbolizing performance of last rites of two monks who attained nirva, began at Mahabuddhi Budha College Playground msai in Aruchal Pradesh from Thursday.

People in thousands thronged the ground to witness the installation of mortal remains of two monks- Venerable Gyatissa Mahathera and Venerable U nda Mahathera who attained Nirva (death) on November 8 and November 29, 2016 – on a majestic three-storey decorated ceremonial chariot (Catafalque). The mortal remains of two monks were carried from Nirva temple constructed temporarily near the playground. The installation ceremony was performed amidst chanting of prayers by monks, novice and devotees.

The morning programme began with Buddha Vanda followed by hoisting of World Peace Buddhist flag by Bichitra Mahethera, president of Asom Bhikkhu Sangha. The most auspicious event was pulling of the chariot by thousands of devotees, including children, which is considered as holy.

The mortal remains of the two monks were kept separately in the second layer of the chariot for public homage and will be consigned to flames separately cutting the chariot into two pieces on Saturday afternoon.