Showing posts with label Meethirigala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Meethirigala. Show all posts

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

'A boat on the river', Meethirigala, Sri Lanka.


This boat on the river is 'not sailing away'. It has no sails and is tied up for the day. It is used daily for 'sand harvesting' from the river bed. The sand in the bottom of the river, is a result of soil erosion upstream. The harvested sand is used for building purposes.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

'Puhul pahans' at Ranwela Dewala, Meethirigala, Sri Lanka.


In the old days there was a ferry crossing of the Kelany Ganga at Meethirigala. The crossing took one from 'Siyana Korale' in the Gampaha District to the 'Hewagam Korale' in Avissawella district at this point. In ancient days they would core out a few 'puhul gedis' fill them with oil, insert a wick and light it. They would send these floating in the Kelany Ganga on a special day, as an offering to Ranwela Deviyo. At present they use a banana stem and the ola leaves are decorated to look like a 'puhul gediya'. You can see these lamps in the picture

Monday, December 28, 2009

A paddy-field in Meethirigala, Sri Lanka.


The beauty and serenity of a paddy field can be seen in this picture. I took this picture close to the retreat of a Buddhist forest hermitage. Buddhist monks live here in isolation and practice meditation. It is a famous place in Sri Lanka. The forest monks belong to the Aranya Nikaya.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Children playing by the side of the Kelani Ganga, Meethirigala, Sri Lanka.


The bank of the Kelani Ganga provides an ideal spot for children to play at Meethirigala in the District of Gampaha, Sri Lanka. At full spate the water level on the river can rise about 6 feet submerging these banks.