Mawanella, Kandy road, Sri Lanka.

Crossing the old stone bridge at the entrance to Mawanella.

Classic cars on display for sale, Mawanella.

Aluthnuwara Dewale, Mawanella, Sri Lanka.

A memorial stone

One of the entrances

Web-link about the Dewala:-

http://www.visitsabaragamuwa.lk/doc_view.php?page=6

Aluthnuware Dewale, Mawanella, Sri Lanka.

A dagoba on a hillock seen far away from Aluthnuwara Dewale

The old entrance to the Dewale

The 'Chaithya' at Aluthnuwara Dewale, Mawanella, Sri Lanka.

The 'Chaithya'

The 'Mal aasana' - flower pedestral and worshippers.

Breaking coconuts, Aluthnuwara Dewale, Mawanella, Sri Lanka.

Breaking coconuts

The pieces of the broken coconut

Breaking of coconuts to fulfil a vow to Lord Ganesha is practiced extensively in the Hindu Dewales of Sri Lanka. There are various interpretations given to this act. I have heard it said that it is an act symbolizing the breaking of the hard outer ego to taste the white sweet kernel of the deity resident in each human being. I took these pictures and video at the Aluthnuwara Dewale in Mawanella, Sri Lanka.
Video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAceEbYQ_y0

Aluthnuwara Dewale, Mawanella, Sri Lanka.

Inside the Dewale premises

Blue is the colour attributed to God Vishnu

Aluthnuwara Dewale, Mawanella, Sri Lanka.

A resting room

Cock-bird given as a donation to the Dewale.

Aluthnuwara Dewala, Mawanella, Sri Lanka.

An old tree in the premises

The old Dewala

Aluthnuwara Dewala, Mawanella, Sri Lanka.

Applying a half-cut lime on the scalp is a ritual observed by some Sinhalese before entering a Dewala.

A decorative fountain in the premises of the Aluthnuwara Dewala,.

Click on web-link below:-
http://www.visitsabaragamuwa.lk/doc_view.php?page=6

Aluthnuwara Dewale, Mawanella, Sri Lanka.

'Pooja vattiya'

Temple elephant

Two scenes at the entrance to the 'Aluthnuwara Dewale.

'Aluth Nuwara Dewale', Mawanella, Sri Lanka.

Going past the town of Mawanella on the A1 - Colombo Kandy highway - one reaches the turn off to Aluthnuwara Dewale. In the old days this was the place for travellers to stop and drop a few coins - 'padura' S, 'kaanikkai' T - wishing for a trouble free journey in a wayside temple. It still draws a few travellers. It must have been a busy spot. This old dilapidated building more than a hundred years old must have had its hey-day. You can see the cracked mud and bamboo walls. The old type 'Sinhala tiles on the building are still servicable. Alas its days are numbered.