Police in Sri Lanka initiated an investigation into a photo that is to be presented by the Buddha tooth – a relic, which photographing is strictly prohibited. The photo that circulated social media was to be taken during the Candy ceremony, where the relic was shown for the first time in 16 years.
Investigators want to determine whether the widely shared photo is a false or real image of a relic that can be seen in the temple from Friday. Pilgrims cannot bring bags or backpacks to the temple, and there is a complete ban on using mobile phones.
“If someone took a photo inside the temple, this is a serious violation of security,” said one of the policemen, ensuring that “inside the building there is a significant number of civilian officers.” The services stated that 10,000 policemen were delegated to the city for a 10-day presentation of relics.
Source: Shutterstock
Buddha tooth – worship and a symbol of sovereignty
Lanksian Buddhists believe that the relic is the left Buddha's Fang. The faithful believe that this is not only a cult of worship, but also a symbol of a sovereign state.
The police reported that on Friday for two and a half hours, when the relic was presented to pilgrims, about 125,000 people gave her some, among them the president of the country Anura Kumara Dissanayake, politicians and diplomats. Before the 16th-century temple, a crowd stretched over two kilometers gathered. The subject of worship will be available until April 27.
During the last presentation in March 2009, more than a million people came to worship this relic.
The Temple of the tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy is one of the most important places of the Buddhist worship on Sri Lance. This is where the relic of Buddha tooth is stored, considered a symbol of the sovereignty and spiritual power of the country.
Author/author: Momo/kg
Source: PAP, Guardian
Source of the main photo: Shutterstock