'Yaka mala' - A black flower, Home garden, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

This flowering plant was called a 'Yaka mala' in Sinhalese (Devil flower). It was also said to resemble a lion's head. I bought a plant at a flower show in Colombo. It bloomed in our home garden, to produce this flower, all black in colour..

Rambuttan fruits on the tree, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

It is the end of the 'rambuttan' season now. Each fruit sells for about Rs.3/- at the roadside vending stalls. There are quite a lot of rambuttan estates around Avissawella. Trees are rented out for Rs50,000/ to a lakh during the season. The bats and birds have a field day picking the fruits. People tie a transistor radio to the tree at full blast, to scare away the bats at night. The newer generation of bats, seem to appreciate the music especially the 'rap', according to what I hear. We would go to one of these estates and buy the fruits at Rs.2/- each, straight from the tree.

Full moon, Sri Lanka

The view of a full moon through clouds with the trees outlined as silhouettes at Avissawella, Sri Lanka. The tops of coconut, mango, betel, orchid and plantain trees are easily identified in the picture. I took this picture in August 2009 at about 9pm, with the camera mounted on a tripod.

Baker's van doing the rounds, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Bakers are taking their produce by mini vans, to the door-steps of the villagers in Sri Lanka. The van's arrival at a set time is announced, by playing a melody as is the case with ice-cream vans. I took this picture in a by lane on the outskirts of Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

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.