Environs of Vallipuram Temple, Point-Pedro, Sri Lanka.

Area in front of the 'Gopuram'

Palmyra tree with branches in its trunk.

The road to Manalkaadu.

Egret near a pond roadside.

In the battles between Veera Saivaism and Vaishnavaism, Saivaism triumphed in the Jaffna Peninsula. This is one of the few Vaishnava temples left behind. There is a 'Konesar' temple at the Thondamanaru junction but in a very low profile. The Vallipuram temple has a lot of devotees and an annual festival is held on a grand scale.

Stone sculpturers at work, Point-Pedro, Sri Lanka.

The artist.

Work on a pillar for the temple.

Steel chisel used to shape the granite stone.

These stone artisans have a tradition going back nearly two.  Granite stones for carvings in temples are imported from India and these artisans work on the stones with skills acquired from their elders spanning many generations.

Thumbalai road, Point-Pedro, Sri Lanka.

'Theru-moody madam' - a 'madam' (resting place) covering the road.

The adjoining temple.

The 'Theru-moody madam' and the adjoining temple were landmarks I knew in Point-Pedro from the 1940s. They are still intact and the temple is undergoing renovation.

Gadaladeniya, Pilimathalawa, Sri Lanka.

The entrance to the Gadaladeniya temple, Pilimathalawa.

Contents of the writing on a stone slab.

Gadaladeniya temple is situated on a granite rock close to Pilimathalawa, Sri Lanka.
Web-link about the temple, click on link below:-

http://www.angelfire.com/planet/kandy/gadaladeniya/gadaladeniya.htm

'Wavurukannala' Buddhist temple, Tangalle, Sri Lanka.

Old building

Facade of the old temple

Steps of the main entrance

Temple at Seetha Eliya, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka.

Entrance to the Seetha Eliya temple.

Paintings of the legend of Seethadevi

The stream flowing by the side of the temple.

The 'Hakgala' (Jaw shaped stone) hill as seen from the temple.

Legends are related of 'Hakgala' being the site of the palace of Ravana the mythical king of Sri Lanka. The stream and the temple near the stream are claimed to be the site where 'Sitha' the wife of Rama was held captive.

Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xduWRU33izE

'Selvachchannithy' temple, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

The bridge at Thondamanaru.

The entrance to the 'Selvachchannithy' temple

Video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iVhkArNEuQ

'Katharagama' - 'Kathirkaamam' - The temple to 'Lord Skanda', Sri Lanka