Pirith ceremony, Eheliyagoda, Sri Lanka.

Lighting oil lamps to get the blessings of the Gods and seated before the Pirith Mandapaya at the home of the Balawardenas at Eheliyagoda, Sri Lanka.
Please click on each of the web-links below to video snips of its beginning:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XuFP-TEuuw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RXyr6HCJQY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEVc59A7-Ls

Temporary 'Pirith mandapaya' few days after use, Namalanga Rajamaha Vihare, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka.

A 'Pirith Mandapaya', Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

When 'pirith' is chanted all night, by priests in Buddhist households in Sri Lanka, a special place is set apart inside the house for the priests to sit, while chanting the 'pirith'. This 'mandapaya' has a a representative tree called a 'Raja Gaha' inside it and seats arranged for the monks. The 'mandapaya' is decorated. I saw this 'mandapaya' constructed of young coconut leaves weaved into various designs. The trunks of plantain trees were also used in the decoration.

Daya Jayasinghe to me

show details 7:20 AM (3 hours ago)

I have seen visitors going into a frenzy and dancing when this starts. Also in good old days people with guns or swords guard the premises when ATANATIYA is being chanted. In some areas ginger soaked in brandy is consumed by monks while chanting although i have not seen. Daya j.

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