Sunday, April 19, 2009

Ever-silver vessels at a 'Bodhi pooja', Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A 'pooja' ceremony to the Bodhi tree- Arasa maram(Tamil)- Ficus religiosa, is a ritual held very commonly, in the Theravada Buddhist tradition of Sri Lanka. The Bo tree is equally venerated by the Hindus from ancient times. In fact the name "Arasa maram' in Tamil means the 'king of trees'. It is supposed to help towards spiritual advancement, if any one meditates under its shade. The photo shows vessels lined up, to be filled with fruit drinks to be srved at pooja time, to the Bo tree of the temple.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Bottom of 'Bo-path Ella' waterfall, Kuruwita, Sri Lanka.

Eight miles short of Rathnapura, on the Avissawella-Rathnapura trunk road is the town of Kuruwita. About one and a half Kilometers from Kuruwita lies the 'Bo-path Ella' waterfall. Its shape is like that of the leaf of the sacred Bo tree (Ficus religiosa). Hence the name. Thereare a lot of villas where you could find food and accomodation around this spot. It is a lovely place for bathing. Climbing the slipperry rocks is dangerous. Quite a lot of lives have been lost this way. It is also a notorious place for suicides.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

An observation post, Minneriya Nature Reserve, Sri Lanka.

A badly maintained observation post by the side of a stretch of water at the Minneriya Nature reserve. You could see a lot of bird life, elephants, deer, sambhur and leopards if you are lucky.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

A tank in the Vanni, Mulangaavil, Mannar, Sri Lanka.

Turning off from the coastal road from Thallady to Poonery, taking the road past Mulangaavil, there was this water reservoir, fed from the Giants tank, watering the paddy fields around Mulangaavil. I took this photo in 2005 during peace time.