The annual illumination of the Thanthirimle Chaithya (Aloka Pooja) will be held for the tenth year on June 22, 23 and 24 under the guidance of the temple’s Chief Incumbent and North –East province Deputy Chief Sanghanayake Ven Thanthirimale Chandrarathana
Thera.

Since 2004, the Aloka Pooja is sponsored every year by the Wijeya Newspapers Ltd according to a concept of its Chairman Ranjit Wijewardene.
Thanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya is of great historical significance just as other places of Buddhist worship in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Minithale. Tens of thousands of devotees flock to the Thanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya during the Poson festival and the Aloka Pooja that illuminates the Chaithya is the main attraction during the festival.

History has it recorded that Ven. Bkikkuni Sanghamitta who brought the sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi was conducted in procession by King Devanampiyatissa from Dambakola Patuna, present Jaffna, to Anuradhapura and that the procession broke journey at Thanthirimale for the night.

It is said that the Sri Maha Bodhi immediately after planting in Anuradhaura Mahameuna Uyana spouted eight branches and the king presented one of them to the chieftain of the Thanthirimale a Brahman called Thiwanka. According to tradition it was taken in procession and planted in a circular parapet wall on the boulder where the Bo-sapling had been placed on the previous night. After this historic event Thanthirmale became a place of Buddhist worship. (Chaminda Jayalath and Athula Bandara)