The annual Katina ceremony of the New Delhi Buddhist Vihara was held on 26-27 October 2019 under the patronage of Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Austin Fernando, and with the participation of a large number of Sri Lankan and other Buddhists residing in the city.
The ceremony, led by the General Secretary of the Mahabodhi Society of India Ven. P. Seevali Nayaka Thero and the Chief Incumbent of the New Delhi Buddhist Vihara Ven. R. Sumiththananda Thero, commenced on 26 October evening with the opening of the newly constructed Bodhi Prakara and the shrine room of the temple.
Sri Lankan Buddhist monks who have arrived for the occasion from all parts of India and a large number of Sri Lankan and other Buddhist devotees residing in New Delhi including the staff of the High Commission of Sri Lanka attended the opening ceremony.
High Commissioner Fernando unveiled the Buddha statue and ceremonially opened the Bodhi Prakara and the shrine room amidst the chanting of Seth Pirith by the Maha Sangha. The Bodhi Prakara and the shrine room had been constructed with the financial contributions from the Sri Lankans living in New Delhi and abroad and the staff of the High Commission.
On the following day, the Katina robe was offered to the Maha Sangha at a mid-day alms giving ceremony held at the New Delhi Buddhist Vihara, with the participation of a large number of Buddhist devotees.
This year’s observance of Vas and the Katina ceremony at the New Delhi Buddhist Vihara were sponsored by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi.
