Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c31.2388

v2.c31.2388

Later, King Sirimeghavaṇṇa had a life-size image of Mahinda made of gold; this he took to the Ambatthalacetiya. For eight days a festival was held in its honour; on the ninth day the image was taken from Ambatthala, carried by the king himself at the head of a large and splendid procession, and placed for three days in Sotthiyākara-vihāra. On the twelfth day it was taken with all splendour to Anurādhapura, to the Mahāvihāra, where it was left for three months in the courtyard of the Bodhi-tree. From there it was removed to the inner city and deposited in a magnificent image-house to the south-east of the palace. An endowment was set up for the annual performance of ceremonies in honour of the image, and this custom was continued for many centuries. The image was brought from the inner town to the (Mahā)vihāra on the pavāraṇa-day, and every year an offering was made on the thirteenth day.⁷