'Aluth Sahal Mangalya' under President's patronage on April 4
The 48 'Aluth Sahal Mangalya', offering the maiden rice gathered fresh from the field to the sacred Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura will be held on April 4 under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena.
Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake addressing a meeting held in this regard at the Anuradhapura District Secretariat said that the farmers should hand over their first harvest to the nearest Govijanaseva Centres immediately.
'Aluth Sahal Mangalya', the almost ritualistic function has been an important function from the days of hydraulic civilisation in Sri Lanka. The objectives of the functions are to invoke blessings on the deities who protected the paddy cultivation and praying for rain in the next season. Offering of milk rice made of the maiden harvest is made at the function.
It is also known as Agra Sashya Sahala Mangalya (maiden rice from the harvest). By the very use of the word Sashya which means abundance in Sinhalese, the Aluth Sahala Mangalya is a celebration of bounty harvest gathered after a year of hard work and toiling. In another way, it is a celebration of farmers' labour.
