The 'Ther' festival, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The 'Ther' is the tamil word for chariot. In ancient times Kings and grandees would be transported by 'Ther'. The animals used to drag these vehicles were horses or bulls. The 'Ther' was a large structure made of wood with massive wooden wheels. The superstructure was lavishly and artistically decorated. The 'Ther' was also used in war by commanders. Images of Gods of the Hindu pantheon are even now transported on festive occassions, on the 'Ther' which is owned by rich temples. I took these pictures of a 'Ther' procession, at Avissawella on 6/8/2009.

'Thookku kaavady', Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The 'thookku kaavady' is a variation of the 'kaavady', performed in Hindu temple processions in Sri Lanka. The devotee is suspended by fish-hooks attached to the back of his trunk, thighs and legs, from a beam mounted on a lorry. The devotee is made to swing to and from while suspended from the beam. This lorry takes part in a procession covering about three Kilometers. I took this photo at Avissawella on 6/8/2009.

'Chedil kuththy kaavady'; Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

'Kaavady' (Kaavu - Thady - Tamil) is carried by a devotee to a Hindu God/Goddess, to fulfill a vow taken to that particular diety. This is done after the devotee prepares himself/herself, by being on a vegetarian diet for a specified period and being not tainted by 'Thudakku' - Tamil, 'Killa' -Sinhalese. The 'Kaavady' is carried on the shoulder of the devotee and he/she is expected to dance and sing in ecstasy, while taking part in a procession. The beat of the drums, the music on the flute, the sprinkling of water using the leaves of the margosa tree and the fumes of incense, produce a trance state in the devotee. Quite often the body is pierced in various places. Here you see the skin pierced on the back of the trunk of a 'kaavady' carrier, with fish-hooks. The fish-hooks are attached to a rope and the devotee dances, putting tension on the rope held by an accomplice.

Waiting to join a 'Ther' festival at the 'Paththini' temple, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A 'Ther' festival in any Hindu temple draws a crowd of well dressed devotees. I took this picture of devotees waiting, for the procession to start from the 'Paththini' temple at Avissawella. You can see in the picture a devotee carrying a 'nirai kudam' ('pun kalasa'-S).

Worshippers at a village 'Pansala' on full moon day (5/8/2009), Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

In the village 'Pansalas' of Sri Lanka, full moon Poya days have a large attendance of devotees. The last Poya was a special occassion. I took this picture at a Pansala in Avissawella.