Laser pandals and creative decorations draw large crowds to Vesak zones
Laser- illuminated pandals at the Galle Face Green and the Diyawannawa Vesak zone were the key attractions of this year's Vesak celebrations which continue in most places today as well.
The Diyawannawa Vesak Zone set up by the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry and the Speaker's office came alive with a number of creative items, including two digital pandals and a water- screen pandal. Also adding colour and glitter, was the world’s longest reclining Buddha statue made of sand. It was sculpted by Indian sculptor Sudarsan Pattnaik. The veteran sand artiste took just one day to complete the statue, Diyawannawa Special Vesak Zone project coordinator Upali Wijayaweera said.
He said that on each day at least a half a million people from all parts of the country visited the Diyawannawa Vesak Zone. The zone will be open to the public until today.
One of the highlights of the Diywannawa Vesak programme held in conjunction with the United Nations Vesak Day celebrations, was the pindapatha event involving 500 monks. The pindapatha ceremony ended after alms were offered to the monks at the Speaker’s residence.
At the Kolomthota Vesak Zone at Galle Face Green, the pandal operated with laser technology was a major attraction. It was 60 metres high and 40 metres wide and will be on display until today. Explaining the technology, Dr. Prabath Chandima Ukwatta, the brains behind the laser pandal, said the drawings made by a local university student were fed into a computer, and with the help of special software, they were converted into laser beams aimed at the pandal. These graphics were scanned by laser machines which were projected onto a transparent screen, he said.
Dr. Ukwatte, who is also the script writer of the story the pandal depicted, said the technical part of the pandal was completed in a studio in Bangalore, India. All sound and graphic design activities were done there since the technology was not available in Sri Lanka. He said six Indian technicians set up the pandal.
The pandal depicted a 20- minute story highlighting important incidents in Lord Buddha’s life. It will be dismantled, and erected next month in Anuradhapura for the Poson week.
“To make a laser pandal, expensive equipment and modern technology are needed. Moves are underway to bring the technology to Sri Lanka. If there is a demand we can also start a studio here,” Dr. Ukwatte said.
According to Dr. Ukwatte, the pandal cost US$ 30,000 and the money was raised through sponsors. He said at least 200,000 people watched the pandal each day.
He said one of the main objectives of the project was to pro- mote cultural tourism.
The Gangaramaya Vesak zone which was declared open by visiting Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on Thursday, will be open to the public until today. The zone is enlivened by colourful Vesak displays, pandals, lanterns and dansals offering meals and drinks.
In Jaffna, the Sri Lanka Army organised a special Vesak zone and set up a pandal and other illuminations. The army also organ- ised Vesak celebrations in Kilinochchi, Trincomalee and Mullaithivu.
A large number of devotees visited the historic temples at Kelaniya, Mahiyanganaya, Kalutara, Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to observe sil.
Meanwhile, Public Health Inspectors inspected the dansals to ensure that proper hygiene practices were followed in the preparation of food.