Saturday, February 15, 2014

Sri-Pathula at Thimbiripola, Talduwa, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The foot path leading to the site.

The carved foot-print on a granite boulder on the banks of the Seethawaka Oya.

Size of the carved foot-print.

Designs on the stylized  'Foot-print'.

A square hole to hold a parasol over the foot-print.

The Seethawaka Oya flowing close-by.
The 'Sri-Pathula' at Thimbiripola off the road to Dehiowita from Talduwa, is a stylized foot-print carved on granite, by the banks of the Seethawaka Oya. There are claims made that this depicts the foot-print of Sri Rama who's wife Seetha was held prisoner by King Ravana in this area.
There is also the legend which states that one of the wives of King Rajasinghe of Seethawaka, of the 16th Century AD, developed 'Dola Duka' - any craving desired by a female in early pregnancy. The craving was to visit 'Sri-Paadha' - Adam's Peak. The King being unable to accede to this request due to the troubled times in the country did a ruse. The Queen was taken round various by-ways of Seethawake at night on a palanquin, was brought to this rock and shown this carved foot-print. The courtiers accompanying the palanquin told the Queen that this was the sacred foot-print at Sri-Paadha - Adam's Peak. The Queen returned to her palace happy.
The name 'Thimbiri Ge' means 'labour room' in Sinhalese. This was the area where the females of the King's house-hold used to come for the birth of a child.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Scenes from Mannar, Sri Lanka.

Under an 'Umbrella tree'.

On the bund of a water reservoir.

Madhu Church'.

A 'Hoopoe Bird'

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Foundation laying for a house, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A small platform built out of young coconut leaves where offerings to the Gods are made.

A bunch of coconut flowers laid on the site.

Cutting the earth to lay the foundation of a proposed house entails a ceremony. The Gods of the Buddhist Pantheon are appeased, a Pirith chanting is done while the first sod of earth is cut at an auspicious hour. It is a joyful occasion and short eats and drinks are served to the guests.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Ceramic holder for dip-pen and ink pots, and the various types of nibs.



Do you remember these old items we used as a routine as late as the 1960s.