Tuesday, September 14, 2010

A view of 'Vedahiti-kande' - 'Kathiramalai' from Katharagama.

'Vedahiti-kanda' or 'Kathiramalai' is the sacred mountain on which Lord Murugan is said to have settled down, after marrying the Veddah cheiftain's daughter, Valliamma. It was a 2 hour difficult climb. Now you can reach the top by jeep available for hire at the bottom of the hill.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Brooding Bulbul

I took this picture in my garden in Avissawella. You can see the mother sitting on the eggs. She did not fly away when I went close. The male was hovering nearby giving warning cries. Prowling cats, the rat-snake and the Greater Coucal, which latter boldly goes to the nest and swallows the live chicks, are an ever present danger. The population of the bulbul is stable at the moment.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Nest of a Red-vented Bulbul.

This nest of a Red-vented Bulbul was on a tree stump in my garden at Avissawella. The female would brood over it while the male went food gathering. If you went too close to it the female would temporarily fly away at its mates signaled warning. She would return once the intruders went away.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

The 'moon-stone'

A piece of granite worked in concentric circles is seen used as the first step in various important buildings situated in the area named the 'cultural triangle' of Sri Lanka. These pictures were taken by me from Polonnoruwa, Sri Lanka. The concentric circles are said to represent the various stages in the evolution of a being ending in the central area of liberation. The intriguing question is why a sacred symbol like this is used as a door-step. Therein lies a bit of history according to some. The philosophies which deviated from the Southern Theravada doctrines of Buddhism had used these symbols. When the Southern doctrines got the upper hand it is said, that these acts were done, to denigrate the 'heretical vaithulyavada sects'.

Friday, September 10, 2010

A 'book in stone' - ' gal potha' S-Polonnoruwa


26m long, Gal Potha (Stone Book), details the achievements of King Nissankamalla, heir to the Great King Parakramabahu.This is found in present day Polonnoruwa, Sri Lanka. It was originally said to have been installed in Mihinthale, nearly 50 miles away. It had been transported to this site those days, using elephants.