NAMSAI, Jan 16:  Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein today participated in the inaugural day of the three-day Poi-Leng Festival at Weingko village near Namsai which is being celebrated in honour of Late Ven. Indrabangsa Mahathera, who for a long period was the Sanghanayak of Arunachal Pradesh Bhikkhu Sangha. 
Recalling the late monk's tremendous contributions to social and charitable services, Mein said his teachings shall always be remembered. “I believe the virtuous deeds of the most venerable one will continue to encourage all to join hands to build a caring and loving community,” said Mein. General Secretary Mahabodhi Society, Bengaluru Ven. Ananda Bhikkhu remembered the late monk as being a very humble and learned teacher who had trained many monks. The three-day festival will be celebrated as per Buddhist rituals and traditions by pulling of a specially designed chariot which is a catafalque where mortal remains of the departed monk is kept. The celebration is a gesture by monks and devotees who are taking part in the final journey of the demised monk and at the end of the festival, the chariot will be put to fire, thus bringing to an end the late monk's monastic journey. Late Ven. Indrabangsa Mahathera was born in January 1947 and breathed his last at the Weingko Buddhist Temple where he was the Chief Abbot in August 2019. He joined the monastic order as a novice when he was just seven years old and spent fifty one vassas (rain retreats) after higher ordination till his demise. Besides being remembered for working extensively for the development and propagation of Buddha Sasana, he is best remembered by monks and devotees for his humility. As per tradition, the mortal remains was kept in a makeshift temple after embalming. On the first day the coffin was transferred from the makeshift temple to the chariot after performing ritual prayers. People from various places from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and even Tripura have thronged to the venue and organisers are expecting more participation in the remaining two days. A group of monks from Maharashtra is also participating in the sacred festival. 

Chief of Khamti Chow Khancheng Namchoom, Namsai MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom, DC Bijoy Talukdar and SP Ankit Singh also attended the festival. Illumination and cultural show marked the conclusion of the first day. DCM Media Cell 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
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