'Dambakola Patuna', Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

The sea route taken to transport the sacred Bo Sapling.

Reconstructions of the boat which transported the sacred Bodhi sapling

The 'Chaithya'

Entrance to the site near the sea-shore.

The sacred Bo Tree at Anuradhapura had its origins more than 2000 years ago from the original Bo tree under which the Lord Buddha attained Enlightenement at Buddha Gaya. A branch was taken as a transplant and was brought to Sri Lanka. Accompanying the sacred Sapling was Sangamiththa Theri. They landed at this point in Sri Lanka and were taken in procession to Anuradhapura the then capital of Sri Lanka.

Video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWosEFET4YA

Keerimalai, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

The fresh-water tank for bathing

A building near the sea-shore

An elders home.

This is the fresh water spring where a Chola Princess from South India was rid of her 'horse-face' by bathing in the spring

Video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1Zgva57klE

Scenes from Kurikaadduvaan to Pannai, Sri Lanka

Palmyra trees bordering a paddy field

A fence made of palmyra stem and leaves

A residence which would have seen better days

Boats

The return from Nagadipa - Nainathivu, Sri Lanka

'Nagapooshani Ammaal' temple, 'Nainathivu' - 'Nagadipa', Sri Lanka.

Entrance to the temple

'Gram-sellers'

Invoking the blessings of the Goddess

The 'Gopuram' as seen from the entry point to the 'Nagadipa Vihare'

This temple is associated with the legend of 'Manimekalai' a Tamil 'Kavya' -epic, claimed to have been written about the Second Century AD. I heard that there was a stone inscription attributed to Parakramabahu the Great, of the line of Sri Lankan Kings.