Newly unveiled statue of Lord Buddha at Paradise Estate, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.

Offering to 'Sani Bhagawan'

I took this picture on the perimeter road of 'Saman Dewale', Rathnapura, Sri Lanka. The crow is said to be the 'vaahana' of 'Sani Bhagawan' in the Hindu Pantheon of Gods. When 'Sani' or 'Senasuru' is said to be 'Neechcha' - inauspicious, in the horoscope of an individual at a period in his life all sorts of calamities could occur to him, according to the astrologers. They advice propitation of 'Sani' by offering food to his 'Vaahana' the crow. This is such an offering of balls of milk rice served on seventeen leaves left to eaten by the crows.

The Balakotunna falls, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.

On the alternate route from Rathnapura to Balangoda via Malwala, Galaboda, Wewalwaththe, Rasagalla, you will pass the Balakotunna falls, after passing Wewalwaththe.. It is not visible from the main road but you can hear the roar of its waters there. You have to climb a small hillock to see this waterfall. It cascades down from 'Raulagala' rock and is a beautiful sight. I took this picture of it nearly two years ago.