Friday, May 16, 2014

Wayside boutique selling local produce, Katharagama/Kathirkaamam, Sri Lanka.

An empty vegetable stall.

Fire-wood for sale. Most local pilgrims cook their food over a hearth of three stones.

Cotton for use in pillows for sale.

A vegetable and fruit stall.

Leaving Katharagama/Kathirkaamam, Sri Lanka.

'Sivan Kovil'/ Temple of 'Easwara Deviyo'

On the bridge crossing the Menic Ganga/ Maanikka kangai.

Waiting for alms.

On the highway out of Katharagama/Kathirkaamam.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Sights near Kirivehera, Katharagama, Sri Lanka.







Statue dedicated to King Dutagamini.
There is a legend which says that King Dutugemunu requested victory in war from Skanda Deviyo at the hillock called Vedihitikanda where there was a Kovil to Lord Skanda. The Deviyo had told Gamini to shoot an arrow at the plain below. Gamini was instructed to build a Dewala for him in the spot where he found the arrow. Gamini did this and this is said to be the origin of Katharagama the sacred city, with a history going back more than 2000 years.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Going under the belly of an elephant, Katharagama, Sri Lanka.




Circumbulating the forelegs of an elephant is supposed to ward off the evil-eye and make one brave. This is according to the 'Mahouts' who stand by. It costs Rs.100/- for each person. I remember doing the same when I was a youngster, in the early 1940s at a Fair at Ferguson High School Rathnapura, Sri Lanka. It cost my father 10 cents of those glorious years.