Sunday, April 19, 2009

Ever-silver vessels at a 'Bodhi pooja', Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A 'pooja' ceremony to the Bodhi tree- Arasa maram(Tamil)- Ficus religiosa, is a ritual held very commonly, in the Theravada Buddhist tradition of Sri Lanka. The Bo tree is equally venerated by the Hindus from ancient times. In fact the name "Arasa maram' in Tamil means the 'king of trees'. It is supposed to help towards spiritual advancement, if any one meditates under its shade. The photo shows vessels lined up, to be filled with fruit drinks to be srved at pooja time, to the Bo tree of the temple.