The road to 'Vedahiti-kanda', Katharagama.

This peaceful road, surrounded by green paddy fields on either side leads to 'Vedahiti-kanda' at Katharagama. The legends tell us that when Lod Skanda married Valli, the Veddha cheiftains daughter, he made his abode on the hill called 'Vedahiti-kanda'. It was a spiritual centre for worshippers of Lord Skanda - Muruga. The symbolic 'vaahana' or vehicle of Lord Muruga, the peacock is heard and seen in plenty in these sylvan surroundings.

A Pea-cock by the road-side, Katharagama.

Pea-cocks are claimed to be the 'vahana' - vehicle, of Lord Katharagama - Lord Murugan. Thus they are left alone. Their beautiful feathers are a prized possesion.

Watcher's hut in a paddy field, Katharagama.

The lush green of a paddy field is broken up by a watcher's hut. The watcher stays here during the day to chase away parakeets and similar birds who come to eat the ripening paddy grains. In the night people keep guard to chase away marauding animals which include wild elephants. They light a firebrand and sing 'pal kavi' to keep awake.

'Veda-hiti-kanda' - 'Kathira-malai'

A view of 'Veda-hiti-kanda' - 'Kathira-malai', from 'Katharagama' - 'Kathirgaamam'. I have climbed this hill in the mid 1960s. It was steep stone steps all the way with the chin touching the kness frequently. I hear now you can get a jeep ride to the top of the hill.

Darter (Indian Darter)

I took this picture of the Indian Darter on a swampy land adjoining the highway on the Embilipitiya - Tissa road.