Aloka Puja

In the twentieth century After the Common Era, Buddhists led by the Bhikkhu Sangha began focusing their dedicated attention to the Solosmasthana sixteen most sacred centres, Atamasthana - the eight most sacred centres of worship sanctified by the visit of Sakyamuni Buddha during His three visits to Lanka.

Mihintalava, a unique in itself, without being in those lists, maintain its predominance as a sacred centre.

Due to years of desolateness the trek of Mihintalava was extremely difficult. The area covered by thick jungle. Absence of electricity rendered visit bare to the minimum.

Gradually, clearing the jungle and making footpaths, cleaning the granite steps helped pilgrims to visit Mihintale but such visits were a few and far between some people who went their after dusk, carried with them torches made out of rags of cloth tied to wooden poles.

The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited - the Lake House group of papers in 1963 decided to illuminate the Mihintalava.

A generator provided electricity to the Mihintale Seya - the Dagaba which enshrined the sacred relics of Arhat Thera Mahinda.

That was the beginning of the Aloka Puja the Lake House offered to Mihintalava which has today created a new dawn not only in the people of Mihintalava but also everywhere across the country.

Every succeeding Poson Poya, witnessed a new venture organised by Lake House.

For Lake House thought, the Aloka Puja is a punyakarma - a meritorious deed.

It must accompany something more tangible to be realised felt and enjoyed by the people who should be provided with information, education, knowledge and above all must be made to enjoy a happy peaceful and harmonious life - which is Central to the teaching of Arhat Thera Mahinda.

In 1989, school children were selected from within the area - numbering 125 in all and provided them with clothes to dress themselves on Poya days to observe Ata-Sil-Eight precepts.

The 125 Upasaka and Upasikas were provided with the morning meal, a soft drink, the forenoon dana and refreshment - gilanpasa in the afternoon.

An oratorical contest was organised for school children in the North Central Province. The girl who was adjudged the First Prize winner, two years later won the First Prize in the island wide oratorical contest held by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress in 1991.

In order to improve and develop and encourage the art of writing, an island wide Essay Competition was organised from the same year.

In 1990, the Kammalakkulam, a Vidyalaya in Mihintalava received a donation of a Mini laboratory. As a result of the Lab, the villagers of Kammalakkulam started enjoying electricity. Their only road - the footpath was broadened and levelled.

At the opening of the Lab, streaks of tears poured down the cheek of the Principal when she was proposing the vote of thanks.

In 1991, the Dinamina-Budusarana donated a library building and several thousand books in all three languages - Sinhala-Tamil and English to the Mihintale Maha Vidyalaya.

Many donors provided lavishly to make up the Three Lakhs of Rupees needed for the project.

Among the donors of books were readers of Lake House newspapers.

Students in Colombo Schools joined Lake House in providing books.

The Library had many novelties.

The library has a Reference Section, Lending Unit, Audio-Visual Section and a Special Section for Maps and Atlases.

A library of this nature will transform the Mihintale Maha Vidyalaya as a Centre of education in the area.

The Aloka Puja started with a generator later joined by the Electricity Board providing electricity from the National grid.

The Lake House without enjoying the fruits of this labour of love alone, rallied round other institutions in sharing the merit.

The National Savings Bank, the Buddhasasana Ministry too extended their support.

In 1992, a complete Maternity Ward was donated to the Mihintale Hospital which was the crying need of the day.

A year later in 1993, a Dental Clinic was provided to the cluster school system in Mihintalava.

In 1994, a carpentry workshop was set up at the Kurundankulama Vidyalaya, Mihintalava for those who have the aptitude in woodwork.

The absence of a Nursery School in the village of Katupota was filled with a Nursery School which the villagers expressed their total satisfaction.

In 1996, a Poson lantern exhibition and competition was organised along with an oratorical contest and an essay competition.

In this manner, all aspects of children needs were catered for, so that they would become perfect citizens of the country without being a burden to the society.

A new feature was a special Dhammadesana, in addition to the Dhammadesana by the Broadcasting services and Television, was very much appreciated by the people.

In 1997, a Computer Training Centre was gifted to the Mihintalava Maha Vidyalaya.

For the first time, Mihintalava witnessed the statue of Arhat Thera Mahinda in Mihintalava.

A Thai Bhikkhu the Venerable Maha Som Siam who offered extreme respects to Sri Lanka, organised the sculpting of the statue of Arhat Thera Mahinda in Thailand in bronze.

Ven. Maha Som Siam was studying in Sri Lanka, he has visited many ancient and modern Viharas and Cetiyas.

As a gift from the Thai Buddhists he brought the statue as an offering. A Viharage was built by the Lake House and the Seylan Bank.

The Ven. Maha Som Siam is now living in Oslo, in Norway as a layman by the name Mr. Som Siam.

This Poson Poya Day, the Lake House Aloka Puja will be held for the 41st occasion. The Puja has become increasingly relevant for the occasion and also enhanced by its quality and the facilities provided to the millions of people converging on Mihintalava from the Pre-Poya day onwards and to the people of Mihintalava.

The launching of this Web-site is this year’s new venture that Lake House undertook , with the principal objective of promoting Mihintale among the international Buddhist community.