Mankulam to Murikandy on the A9 highway, December 2013, Sri Lanka..

New houses along the A9 at Mankulam.

Dumper trucks awaiting work on the A9 highway.

Entering 'Kokavil'

'Murikandy Pillayaar temple'

'Murikandy' (breaking the journey to Kandy from Jaffna in the old bullock cart days) acts even now as a place where travelers break their journey. An offering and 'poosai' is made to 'Lord Pillayaar' the guardian diety who prevents obstacles (hence his name 'Vikkinaraasaa')

Click on the web-link below to see a video presentation of the photos I took on this stretch of highway.

http://youtu.be/9imAkTN4kJ4

Murikandy to Kilinochchi, A9 Highway, Sri Lanka.

Tesla cafetaria, Murikandy.

On the A9 Highway to Kilinochchi.

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The fallen water tank, Kilinochchi.

Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_PNJhp2oKI

Passing Kokavil, Murikandy, on the A9 Highway, Sri Lanka.

The Kokavil TV transmitting station.

Railway lines - the old track awaiting reconstruction.

The historic Murikandy Pillayaar Temple. Most of the travelers on this ancient road would stop here and break a coconut to the God Pillayaar, to protect them on their onward journey. The tradition is very much active even now.

Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q67cUtCTY8

Earlier Video of 'Poosai' at the Murukandy Pillayar Temple:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5n5nHuaWr0