The annual Theva duties for the Sacred Tooth Relic were formally handed over from the Malwathu Chapter to the Asgiri Chapter on Thursday at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy, Ada Derana reported.
The ceremonial transfer took place in the presence of the Chief Prelate of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Maha Nayaka Thero, the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Maha Nayaka Thero, and Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela.
The handover follows the conclusion of this year’s Esala Poya Theva rituals. Mahanayake Theros and members of the Maha Sangha of both chapters gathered at the temple, where the inventory of offerings and ritual items used in the Theva ceremonies was formally inspected under the supervision of the newly appointed Theva incumbent monks and the Diyawadana Nilame.
Custodianship of the Sacred Tooth Relic is shared between the Malwathu and Asgiri chapters of the Siyam Nikaya, with responsibility for performing the daily rituals alternating between them each year. Under the centuries-old arrangement, the transfer takes place on the afternoon following Esala Full Moon Poya Day.
The Asgiri Chapter will now perform the daily Theva duties until the afternoon of the day following Esala Full Moon Poya Day next year, when the responsibility returns to the Malwathu Chapter.
The handover comes as Kandy prepares for the Esala Perahera, the annual pageant honouring the Sacred Tooth Relic, which is scheduled to begin on August 18.
