Massive crowds from across the country to be taken on Siripa Vandanawa

Tuesday, 17 May 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Keeping up to its innovative strategies, HIRU FM will touch the hearts of the people once again during this Vesak season and shed light to the hearts of the Buddhist of the country, as we celebrate the “2600 Buddha Jayanthiya” during this year. This greatly increases the significance of Vesak and the Sri Pada pilgrimage.

Hiru FM being a flagship Radio channel in Sri Lanka under ABC Radio Network is helping thousands of Sri Lankan Buddhists from every part of Sri Lanka to achieve their life dream of performing the pilgrimage to the Sri Pada (Adams Peak) holy site. It is the belief of many Buddhists that during their life time they must perform the Sri Pada pilgrimage as a rite.

This visit will mostly be with family and is a journey that takes over a day and sometimes more to perform. Though Samanala Kanda is in Sri Lanka, a trip to the holy mountain comprises various expenses that include food, travelling, healthcare and most often, lodging. Hiru FM has taken upon the task of making this trip a reality to thousands of Buddhist pilgrims during the Vesak season.

This pilgrimage usually takes place during the months of April & leads on to May, which is the dry season just before the southeast monsoon breaks.

The desire of every pilgrim is to reach the peak of the mountain, before dawn, in order to witness the glorious spectacle of the sunrise and thereafter perform their religious rites.

People from all generations join together as one family during this time, and especially the older crowd show the way of the culture of this unique pilgrimage, while for some it is a moment they would cherish for the rest of their lives.

This year Hiru FM will give an opportunity for families to be a part of the Sri Pada pilgrimage with transportation, food, refreshments and medical assistance borne by the company.

Siri Pada

It is well-known for the Sri Pada “sacred footprint”, a 1.8 m rock formation near the summit, in Buddhist tradition held to be the footprint of the Buddha — in Hindu tradition that of Shiva, in Christian tradition that of St. Thomas, and in Christian and Muslim traditions that of Adam.

Sri Pada is revered as a holy site by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians but mostly the mountain has been regarded as the most holy site by Sri Lankan Buddhists.

It has specific qualities that cause it to stand out and be noticed; including its dominant and outstanding profile, and the boulder at the peak that contains an indentation resembling a footprint. Hiru FM the number one Sinhala radio channel, a proud brand of the Asia Broadcasting Corporation Private limited which has secured the Number One slot in Sinhala Radio and has been rated as the most preferred Sinhala Channel and the most listened to Sinhala Radio Channel, with a massive and loyal listenership.