'Pirith' ceremony, Eheliyagoda, Sri Lanka.

 Invoking the blessings of the Gods, the drumming and flute playing, the participants and preparing for the offering of betel leaves to the Buddhist priests, to initiate the 'Pirith' ceremony

Pirith ceremony, Eheliyagoda, Sri Lanka.

Lighting oil lamps to get the blessings of the Gods and seated before the Pirith Mandapaya at the home of the Balawardenas at Eheliyagoda, Sri Lanka.
Please click on each of the web-links below to video snips of its beginning:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XuFP-TEuuw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RXyr6HCJQY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEVc59A7-Ls

Buffalos used in the ploughing of a paddy field, Eheliyagoda, Sri Lanka.

Buffaloes were the traditional way of ploughing paddy fields in South Asia. They churn up the muddy ground and make it ideal for sowing the paddy. Tractors have replaced this in quite a few areas now but we still see this in the villages in present day Sri Lanka.