Sunday, July 13, 2014

Thantrimale to Karawanelle, Sri Lanka, a road journey.







Travelling from the 'Dry Zone' of Sri Lanka to the 'Wet Zone' in June 2014.
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Saturday, July 12, 2014

Thantrimale, Sri Lanka.

A placid water reservoir.

A ststue of Lord Buddha cut in granite.
Statue of Lord Buddha in granite in the Padmasana posture.
Detail of above.
A 'poth-gula' - a structure to contain 'ola-leaf' books, the type from which Fa Hsien the famous Chinese traveler of the 5th Century AD made copies to take back to China.

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'Thantrimale' has a recorded history of more than two thousand years. This word can be broken into two separate words - 'Thanthri ' meaning a war Lord ( compare 'Manthri meaning a civilian administrator) and 'Malai' meaning a mountain.

1. It was the place where the branch of the Sacred Bo Tree from Gaya, India, brought by the Ven.Theri Sangamitta, in the Second Century BC, had a nights rest before proceeding to Anuradhapura to its present site.

2. It was the place where Prince Saliya, the son of King Dutugemunu, found refuge after he married Asoka Mala, the beauty from a lower caste. The Monk here is said to have acted as a peace maker between Prince Saliya and his angry father the King.

3. The artisans who worked the statues in stone found here of Lord Buddha, fled during foreign invasions. They settled down in various parts of the Island like Polonnoruwa, Aukana, and Maligawila. Their descendants inherited their craftsmanship in stone and subsequently created the masterpieces that we see and admire today.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Madhu Catholic Church, Mannar, Sri Lanka.





With a history going back to the time of the Dutch Colonial rule of Sri Lanka, this church of the Virgin Mary draws large crowds from all over the Island. Founded by refugees who hid in the jungles during Dutch persecution of Catholics, this church in the jungle has an annual feast when devotees in their thousands come here to camp out and partake of the festivities.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Pesalai to Thantrimale by road, June 2014, Sri Lanka.

Donkeys running free, Pesalai.
Road from Pesalai.
Roaming domestic cattle, Cheddikulam.
Back from school, Murungan.
Giant's tank.
Entrance to the Thantrimale complex.

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Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Thirukketheeswaram to Pesalai, Mannar, A road trip, June 2014, Sri Lanka.

The 'Gopuram of the Thirukketheeswaram temple.
The causeway leading to Mannar town.
Catholic church at Pesalai with a 500 year history.
Fishing boats at Pesalai.
An ancient light-house with facilities to burn fire-wood at the top, Pesalai.
Please click on the  web-link below to see more photos:-

http://youtu.be/XL1njx133Uw