Bridge over a mountain stream, Alupola, Sri Lanka.

We used to go for a bath in the stream and have our lunch under the bridge. What idyllic times we had in days gone by. I took this photo in July 2009 on a recent visit.

A 'Pirith Mandapaya', Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

When 'pirith' is chanted all night, by priests in Buddhist households in Sri Lanka, a special place is set apart inside the house for the priests to sit, while chanting the 'pirith'. This 'mandapaya' has a a representative tree called a 'Raja Gaha' inside it and seats arranged for the monks. The 'mandapaya' is decorated. I saw this 'mandapaya' constructed of young coconut leaves weaved into various designs. The trunks of plantain trees were also used in the decoration.

Daya Jayasinghe to me

show details 7:20 AM (3 hours ago)

I have seen visitors going into a frenzy and dancing when this starts. Also in good old days people with guns or swords guard the premises when ATANATIYA is being chanted. In some areas ginger soaked in brandy is consumed by monks while chanting although i have not seen. Daya j.

---

Fruit stall selling 'Pooja vattiyas' at Saman Dewala, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

The flowers and fruits arranged on a tray to be given as offerings to God Saman, were being sold at this stall. There was a brisk business going on.

Egret near a pond, Sithawaka, Sri Lanka.

Egrets seem to have increased in numbers in Sri Lanka. They are now seen in villages and towns in Sri Lanka, close to rubbish dumps. When they rest for the night on trees any small disturbance below the tree makes them empty their bowels on the persons below. If the tree is over a highway, the road is covered with white bird shit accompanied by an unpleasant smell. Very often residents chase them away by firing sky rocket fireworks at trees, during sun-down when they come to roost.

Gloriosa superba: 'Niyangala' - Sinhalese: 'Kandal' - Tamil, flower, Wewalwaththe,

The flower of the 'Niyangala' or 'Kandal' is very beautiful. Its yam is poisonous and can cause death. I saw this in full bloom, in a wet humid environment, close to Rathnapura.