Sri Lanka, Oct. 28 -- The annual Katina Pinkama of the Sanchi Chethiyagiri Vihara in India was celebrated on October 25 and 26, under the guidance of the Most Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thera, President of the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society and Chief Prelate of Japan.

On the afternoon of Saturday, October 26, after offering alms (gilanpasa) to the Buddha at the Chethiyagiri Vihara, a Bodhi Pooja was conducted by Rajakeeya Panditha Katharagama Dhammananda Thera at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree atop the Sanchi Hill.

Following this, the Sacred Relics casket was carried in a grand procession from the Chethiyagiri Vihara to the Sanchi Mahabodhi Centre, where an all-night Pirith chanting ceremony was held.

The following day, nearly one hundre...