CultureTV's video: Somawathiya kanchuka Pooja Kapruk Pooja

Kanchuka Pooja (Kapruk Pooja) A Kanchuka Pooja / Kapruk Pooja is a Buddhist pooja done by covering the Dagaba, Bo Tree as a gesture to recieve blessings with Buddhist flag material or Buddhist Robe material. Material length for special Buddhist places in Sri Lanka: Ruwanwelisaya – 300m Mahiyangana Chathiya – 90m Somawathiya Chaithiya – 75m Kirivehera – 90m Kelaniya Chathiya – 85m Jayasrimaha Bodhiya – 65m Mihinthale Chathiya – 45m Thuparamaya – 52m Muthiyanganaya Chathiya – 95m Abayagiriya – 106m Miriswatiya – 52m Kaluthara chathiya – 52m The grandeur of Pujas at Somawathi Chaitya Somawathi Chaitya stands majestically at dusk. Grand offerings, Hevisi sounds and stanzas chanted by Bhikkus and fascinating, spiritual evenings attract hundreds of Buddhist devotees daily to this hallowed jungle shrine in the outskirts of the Polonnaruwa sacred city. Somawathi Chaitya evokes a true sense of wonder in every visitor. Perhaps, it was the way Somawathi Chaitya was ‘rediscovered’. It was rediscovered in the 1940s and archaeological excavations began in 1964. Archaeologists have unearthed several artifacts including, stone inscriptions, moonstones, flower pedestals and Siripathul gala (footprint). It is believed, one Prince Giri Aba who was married to Princess Somawathi, sister of King Kavantissa, built the Chaitya in 2nd Century AD. They lived in and ruled over an area known as Somapura, which was located at the bed of the Mahaweli Ganga, and the Somawathi Chaitya has been built on the request of the princess who wanted a Vihara to perform religious activities. The most significant event of the place is that the right Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is enshrined in the Relic Chamber of the Chaitya and is believed to be one of the two remaining tooth relics in the world, the other being the one at Sri Dalada Maligawa, in Kandy. The Somawathi Chaitya was maintained by several kings who succeeded Prince Aba. However, it was later abandoned during foreign invasions. we witnessed at the site was the elephants consuming food left over by pilgrims. Wild elephants come close to the pilgrim’s rest to take food. We observed a large quantity of rice thrown away to the elephants. They now depend entirely on the food given by pilgrims who visit the Somawathi Chaitya. In conclusion, the sacred site of Somawathi Chaitya is an area worth visiting if you are a history buff or a wildlife enthusiast. Visiting the place at dawn, you can witness the sun rising from a sea of mist surrounding the flat landscape, explore the temple, take part in the morning Puja and get the benefit of spiritual devotion.