Buddhists Gather for ‘Maha Kathina Chivara Dana’ Ceremony at Venuvan Buddha Vihara

November 04: Hundreds of Buddhist devotees gathered on Saturday at the Buddha Vihara Temple in Agartala to participate in the two day long 1st ever “Maha Kathina Chivara Dana” ceremony held in Venuvan Buddha Vihar.

Urging the public to visit the festival on November 4 and 5, the head monk of the temple, Ven. Khemachara said, “It is a matter of being proud for us, as we are going to celebrate the “Maha Kathina Chivara Dana” ceremony for the first time in Agartala. It is our sincere request from the entire temple committee to all the citizens of the city to kindly come and celebrate the holy function with us.”

‘Kathina Civara Dana’ or the ‘robe offering ceremony’ is a festival in which Buddhist devotees donate different items, including robes for the living of the monks. “Before the introduction of kathin chivar dan, viksus used to wear pangsukulik chivar (soiled and torn cloth found at cremation sites). However, this made the viksus susceptible to disease. So, during their monsoon rites, Buddha allowed them to wear chivar or clean cloth gifted by their families. But, only those viksus who have completed the three-month cycle of monsoon rites may wear the chivar. The chivar dan ceremony is performed for a month following “Prabarana Purnima” until “Kartik Purnima”. So, it is our duty as Buddhists to offer them new robes and new requisites for them to be able to get on with their lives normally and meditate,” a devotee said.