Let us protect our rituals.

My dear friends, as you all know, our Sinhala New Year has several auspicious times. So far, we had passed the auspicious times such as the Dawn of the New Year, Punya Kalaya (‘Nonagathaya’ or Inauspicious Time), Lighting the hearth, and Commencing Work, Transactions, and Partaking in Meals are over now. The next most important auspicious event for us is applying oil.

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The oil anointing time today fell at 9.41 a.m. (April 16). To commemorate this tradition, oil anointing rituals were conducted all over the country. Followiing astrology, it is traditional to dress in red and yellow during the ceremony, face south, takes a bath in oil mixed with imbul leaves, and apply imbul leaves to the head and banyan leaves to the feet. Different oils and herbs are used to produce this mixture.

In my area, at the Indigolla Raja Maha Viharaya in Bandaraweatta, the oil-anointing ceremony took place. The Mahanayaka Thero of the temple and several other officials attended the ceremony. There were a lot of individuals waiting in line to anointing oil.

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What are the advantages of using oil during a ceremony? I believe it's because the rituals and customs that go along with it have been practiced for so long and because the oils are used traditionally. I also think that these oils are used to help people and improve their quality of life because of their healing and beneficial qualities.

Likewise, most of the temples in the country organized this ceremony. Meanwhile, the ceremony to anoint oil at the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya was organized and a lot of people were also present at the occasion.

The ritual was carried out at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya as well. The ritual was carried out by Viharadhipathi Thero. The ceremony to anoint with oil was held at the historic Natha Devale in Kandy as well. The media correspondent reported that the ceremony was held under the auspices of the Mahanayake of the Asgiri Chapter Most Venerable Thero.

Today, It seems that these type of rituals are vanishing from our modern life. It is our responsibility to protect these traditions. As an adult, we must popularize those rituals among our children. Therefore, come forward and try to protect our rituals.

Thanks for reading.