Saturday, March 17, 2012

'Mihinthale', Sri Lanka.


'Mihinthale', a few Kilometers from the ancient city of Anuradhapura, has a strong religio-historical tradition in Sri Lanka. It was the hillock on which the King Devanampiya Tissa out on a deer hunt, met the son of King Asoka - the Rev. Mahinda. After an oral IQ test which was administered to Tissa and which Tissa passed, he was given instructions in Buddhist philisophy. This happened more than 2000 years ago. This place is a place of pilgrimage to Buddhists in the Island.
The Rev. Mahinda later an 'Arahant'  was born to a lady of the 'Vaisya' (trader) cast, when the young Asoka was the Governor of Ujjain (present Bombay,) during Asoka's fathers reign. Mahinda's mother could never become the Queen, because of the difference in caste. But Asoka the Emperor did not forget his son in Ujjain. When he started his missionary activities he chose his son the now Rev.Mahinda to lead the mission to the distant and famous Isle of Sri Lanka. There he became a legend in the establishment and propagation of Buddhism.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Double bridge and the highway to Badulla - A4 - Sri Lanka.

 Two bridges the old and the new on the widened Badulla road past Belihul Oya on the A4 highway.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Scenery on the Koslanda - Beragala road, Sri Lanka.


Looking down into the valley through which the Udawalawe river runs.

The 'Galkandha waterfalls' straddling the main road. This is the section below the highway.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Diyaluma waterfalls, Koslanda, Sri Lanka.


During heavy rains in the upper reaches of this river the water falls onto the road. In 1966 I have been held up for nearly 30 minutes on this road by this phenomenon when stones, drift wood and a cascade of muddy water falls on the road below.
Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJkvDe2ZQiU