Showing posts with label Avissawella. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Avissawella. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Coconut trees struck by lightening, Honiton Place, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.


Three coconut trees lying close by were struck by lightening, a few months back.
This tree is sprouting young leaves again.

Coconut trees are frequently struck by lightening during thunder storms. They invariably die off. The timber from them is said to be cursed and is not used in house building in present Sri Lanka. I saw this particular tree spouting leaves again.

Monday, November 30, 2015

Saturday, November 28, 2015

'Katina Pinkama' Perahera, Honiton Place, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.





During the three  months of 'Vaes Kaley' - rainy season, the Theravada Buddhist monks remain in their residences. During this period the laymen supply them with all necessities. At the end of the three months, the laymen organize a Perahera to signify the end of the 'Katina' period. The word 'Katina' means difficult. A Tamil equivalent is 'Kadhinam'. I took the above photos of a 'Katina Perahera' dong the rounds of our village in Avissawella, at 4am

Friday, November 27, 2015

A misty morning, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.




Cold nights, early morning mists with 23 degree Celsius, bright sunny mornings and rain with thunder and lightening in the afternoons, this is our daily fare now in Avissawella.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Harvesting King coconuts, home garden, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.




The refreshing King coconut water in the fruit.

The tasty kernel to be consumed with relish.

Please click on the following web-site:-


Monday, November 16, 2015

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Saturday, November 14, 2015

An adolescent Iguana, sun bathing, Home garden, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.




After hatching from eggs buried under the sand, these young  ones emerge and start foraging. Quite a few are savaged by the dogs and die. The meat of the adults are relished by some. For those practicing the Buddhist religion eating the flesh of these animals is taboo. The adults can deliver a vicious kick with their powerful tails.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

A 'gem pit', Avissawella, Sri Lanka.


The pit is dug vertically down till a layer named 'illam' is reached. Water has to be pumped out all the time using petrol or kerosene powered pumps. Once the layer of 'illam' is reached. tunneling has to be done sideways. The extracted soil is brought out and washed to pick out the heavier gem stones.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Haul from a dry river bed, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

 Coin minted by the British colonial rulers in 1890

Tooth-picks made of gold, silver, old coin.
Artifact in stone
Various coins
Uncut gem stones
Grains of gold mixed with the sand.
I met this man whom I persuaded to let me photograph his collection from a 'gem-pit' in a river bed. The Kelany Ganga was the roadway of the old days, where boats ferried passengers. The heavier articles which fell from the boat sank to the bottom and with time was covered with sand. Gemming from river beds using  improvised breathing equipment is a home-industry in present Sri Lanka.