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.

---