'Thooku kaavady' at Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Part of the 'Ther' festivities. A Saiva devotee is fulfilling a vow ('Nerthikkadan' T) to theDiety.

Devotees pulling the 'Ther', Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The chariot bearing the image of the Diety is pulled by devotees by pulling on thick coir ropes attached to the 'Ther'

'Ther' festival, Muththumari Amman Temple, Kudagama road, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The decorated wooden chariot - the 'Ther' - carrying an image of the Diety.

 The 'Ther' was a chariot made of wood, used by the legendary Deities and Kings of long ago. Its construction techniques goes back thousands of years and is still built by artisans specializing in the field.

'Thavil' - drum and the 'Nathaswaram' - The flute.

It needs years of apprentiship and practice to play the above instruments. Learning the 'Thaalas' and 'Raagas' of South Indian music takes a lifetime of learning.

Going to attend a 'Ther' festival, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The 'Thiruvilaa' ( 'Thiru'+'Ulaa' meaning 'the sacred perambulation' in Tamil) of the resident diety of a Hindu temple, takes place once an year. The image of the diety is placed on a wooden wheeled carved wooden chariot and is drawn on the main roads in the village. The 'Muththu Mari Amman' temple at Kudagama road, Avissawella, had this function a few days back. In the above two photos you see the female devotees arriving for the festival, carrying milk in brass pots as offering to the diety.

Ceylon of nearly 80 years ago.

The 'Rickshaw', 'Bukky karaththe' and 'Bara Karaththe's' in the Pettah, Colombo, the then center of commercial activity. You can see the tram-lines in the first picture.