Friday, May 20, 2011
Saturday, June 12, 2010
anuradapura
History of Anuradhapura Anuradhapura has been made royal capital by the king Pandukabhaya in 380 BC. It remained residence and royal capital for 119 successive Singhalese kings till the year 1000 AD when it was abandoned and the capital moved to Polonnaruwa. You will see some of the most famous as well as the tallest dagoba of Sri Lanka, remains from palaces, temples, monasteries, ceremonial baths and the temple of the holy Bo-tree. This tree was grown from a sapling of the very tree under which more than 2500 years ago the Buddha found enlightenment. 
Srimaha Bohdi With the dawn of the second century BC, adventurers from across the Palk Strait had begun to settle down in the northern coast. One such intruder called Elara, became supreme in almost whole of the North and reigned from Anuradhapura. He was later challenged by the ruler Gemunu, son of King Kavantissa. Later this independent ruler, Gemunu of the South met in combat with Elara and the latter was killed. For the first time a single kingdom for the island arose.
Dutugemunu's reign saw the culmination of Buddhism Dutugemunu (161-137 BC) contributed immensely for the religion of Buddhism. Anuradhapura Kingdom lasted one thousand and five hundred years. Despite the intrusions and clashes of South Indian Chola, Pandyan and Pallava, there prevailed stability in the continuity of the Anuradhapura civilisation.
Due to the strong diplomatic relations among the countries like Rome and China, in first century AD. Fa-Hsien visited Sri Lanka. And in seventh century, Hisuen T'sang regretted his failure of his attempt to reach Sri Lanka.
Srimaha Bohdi With the dawn of the second century BC, adventurers from across the Palk Strait had begun to settle down in the northern coast. One such intruder called Elara, became supreme in almost whole of the North and reigned from Anuradhapura. He was later challenged by the ruler Gemunu, son of King Kavantissa. Later this independent ruler, Gemunu of the South met in combat with Elara and the latter was killed. For the first time a single kingdom for the island arose.
Dutugemunu's reign saw the culmination of Buddhism Dutugemunu (161-137 BC) contributed immensely for the religion of Buddhism. Anuradhapura Kingdom lasted one thousand and five hundred years. Despite the intrusions and clashes of South Indian Chola, Pandyan and Pallava, there prevailed stability in the continuity of the Anuradhapura civilisation.
Due to the strong diplomatic relations among the countries like Rome and China, in first century AD. Fa-Hsien visited Sri Lanka. And in seventh century, Hisuen T'sang regretted his failure of his attempt to reach Sri Lanka.
esela perahara
Commences on Esala Full Moon Poya Day on the month of July and Concludes on Nikini Full Moon Poya Day on the month of August.
Esala Perahera is the grand festival of Esala held in Sri Lanka. It is very grand with elegant costumes. Happening in July or August in Kandy, it has become a unique symbol of Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhist festival consisting of dances and richly-decorated elephants. There are fire-dances, whip-dances, Kandian dances and various other cultural dances. The elephants are usually adorned with lavish garments. The festival ends with the traditional 'diya-kepeema'.
The significance of this great event is to invoke blessings of the gods to give the farmers rain to cultivate their crops. This ritual is performed by carrying the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha through the city streets which is done with great ceremony.
The tooth relic was brought to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in the year 310 AD and the first perehera was performed in Anuradhapura the first capital where the sacred relic was housed. Even as the capitals were shifted for security reasons due to invasions, the tooth relic went with it too and was much revered and always in the custody of the king. Finally finding a permanent resting place in the hill capital of the last Sinhalese kindom Kandy, It lies in the “Dalada Maligawa” (Palace of the Tooth Relic) which was built by king Wimaladharma suriya in the 16th century. This three-storey building erected solely for the purpose of housing. The Sacred Relic still stands and is the most visited and important temple of Sri Lanka.
The ritual of the Perahera (Esela Perahera) continues in Kandy with more and more people attending each year to watch majestic tusker proudly parade the streets of the ancient Sinhalese kingdom followed by over more than a hundred elephants with the custodians and other officials dressed in the traditional Sinhalese attire of chieftains riding them. The sound of blowing conch shells and whip cracking starts off the excitement or the approaching perahera. The beating of at least three types of traditional drums, the Kandyan dancers, Acrobats, and other artists that perform in the light of flame torches certainly would take you back in a time machine.
Esala Perahera is the grand festival of Esala held in Sri Lanka. It is very grand with elegant costumes. Happening in July or August in Kandy, it has become a unique symbol of Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhist festival consisting of dances and richly-decorated elephants. There are fire-dances, whip-dances, Kandian dances and various other cultural dances. The elephants are usually adorned with lavish garments. The festival ends with the traditional 'diya-kepeema'.
The significance of this great event is to invoke blessings of the gods to give the farmers rain to cultivate their crops. This ritual is performed by carrying the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha through the city streets which is done with great ceremony.
The tooth relic was brought to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in the year 310 AD and the first perehera was performed in Anuradhapura the first capital where the sacred relic was housed. Even as the capitals were shifted for security reasons due to invasions, the tooth relic went with it too and was much revered and always in the custody of the king. Finally finding a permanent resting place in the hill capital of the last Sinhalese kindom Kandy, It lies in the “Dalada Maligawa” (Palace of the Tooth Relic) which was built by king Wimaladharma suriya in the 16th century. This three-storey building erected solely for the purpose of housing. The Sacred Relic still stands and is the most visited and important temple of Sri Lanka.
The ritual of the Perahera (Esela Perahera) continues in Kandy with more and more people attending each year to watch majestic tusker proudly parade the streets of the ancient Sinhalese kingdom followed by over more than a hundred elephants with the custodians and other officials dressed in the traditional Sinhalese attire of chieftains riding them. The sound of blowing conch shells and whip cracking starts off the excitement or the approaching perahera. The beating of at least three types of traditional drums, the Kandyan dancers, Acrobats, and other artists that perform in the light of flame torches certainly would take you back in a time machine.
kumana
Kumana National Park
Known as Yala East Kuman is Sri Lankas best Destination to see large number of migratory bird and aquatic birds including flamingos, herons, ibis and many others nest in the mangrove swamps especially in May and June. You can see endemic Red faced Malkoha in forest areas. You can also see herds of elephants and some times spot leopards and are bears too.
Known as Yala East Kuman is Sri Lankas best Destination to see large number of migratory bird and aquatic birds including flamingos, herons, ibis and many others nest in the mangrove swamps especially in May and June. You can see endemic Red faced Malkoha in forest areas. You can also see herds of elephants and some times spot leopards and are bears too.
kandaswami temple
Nallur Kandaswamy Temple
ITS HISTORY
The historic Kandaswamy Temple stands at Nallur 1.5 km from Jaffna on the Pointpetro Road. The temple was built in the 15th century, by Sanpaha Perumal the adopted son of Bhuvanekabahu, the king of Kotte, who led an expedition to the North and brought Jaffna under the suzerainty of Kotte.
Having established himself as the ruler of the Jaffna Kingdom, Sanpaha Perumal set about the task building the city and erecting the temple. Then he appointed Vijayabahu as the ruler and returned to Kotte. After some time, the deposed king Kanagasuriyan attacked and drove away the invader. He and his descendants managed the Nallur Temple up to the arrival of the Portuguese. Bhuvanekabahu’s name is still mentioned by the usher on ceremonial occasins.
The Portuguease defeated Sankili, the last king of Jaffna in 1560. The Portuguease General Philip de Olivera demolished the historic Kandaswamy Temple in 1621. The temple then stood at Sankili Thopu on the easttern side of the Pointepedro Road (The site was later used for erecting a Christian Church)
MANAGEMENT
Jaffna, like the other maritime districts, fell to the Dutch in 1658. The Dutch were more tolerant than the Portuguese. Don Juan Ragunatha Mappana Mudaliyar who was shroff in the Kachcheri (and hence an influential person) obtained permission from the Government to rebuild the temple. The temple was built in stone and brick in 1734. His decendants have, to date been, trustees of the temple. The present incumpent Kumaradasa Mappana Mudaliyar enjoys a reputation for punctuality and discipline.He has, during his period of office, been effecting add itions and improvements to the temple, making it spacious and accessible to the very large crowds that throng during the festival. The very atmosphere of the temple breathes holiness and peace.
In Punctuality, Order and neatness, Nallur Provides a model for oll Saiva temples. This is one of the few temples that conduct the stipulated nithya akkini and nithya utsawam daily. Tuesdays and Fridays witness a larger number of devotees. Each (lunar) month Thirukarthikai is of special significance. It is Lord Muruga’s day. The pageant of the Vel with Valli and Theivayanai is enthralling.
ITS HISTORY
The historic Kandaswamy Temple stands at Nallur 1.5 km from Jaffna on the Pointpetro Road. The temple was built in the 15th century, by Sanpaha Perumal the adopted son of Bhuvanekabahu, the king of Kotte, who led an expedition to the North and brought Jaffna under the suzerainty of Kotte.
Having established himself as the ruler of the Jaffna Kingdom, Sanpaha Perumal set about the task building the city and erecting the temple. Then he appointed Vijayabahu as the ruler and returned to Kotte. After some time, the deposed king Kanagasuriyan attacked and drove away the invader. He and his descendants managed the Nallur Temple up to the arrival of the Portuguese. Bhuvanekabahu’s name is still mentioned by the usher on ceremonial occasins.
The Portuguease defeated Sankili, the last king of Jaffna in 1560. The Portuguease General Philip de Olivera demolished the historic Kandaswamy Temple in 1621. The temple then stood at Sankili Thopu on the easttern side of the Pointepedro Road (The site was later used for erecting a Christian Church)
MANAGEMENT
Jaffna, like the other maritime districts, fell to the Dutch in 1658. The Dutch were more tolerant than the Portuguese. Don Juan Ragunatha Mappana Mudaliyar who was shroff in the Kachcheri (and hence an influential person) obtained permission from the Government to rebuild the temple. The temple was built in stone and brick in 1734. His decendants have, to date been, trustees of the temple. The present incumpent Kumaradasa Mappana Mudaliyar enjoys a reputation for punctuality and discipline.He has, during his period of office, been effecting add itions and improvements to the temple, making it spacious and accessible to the very large crowds that throng during the festival. The very atmosphere of the temple breathes holiness and peace.
In Punctuality, Order and neatness, Nallur Provides a model for oll Saiva temples. This is one of the few temples that conduct the stipulated nithya akkini and nithya utsawam daily. Tuesdays and Fridays witness a larger number of devotees. Each (lunar) month Thirukarthikai is of special significance. It is Lord Muruga’s day. The pageant of the Vel with Valli and Theivayanai is enthralling.
nuwara eliya
Nuwara Eliya The mountain resort"Blessed a with salubrious climate, breathtaking views of valleys, meadows, mountains and greenery; it's hard to imagine that Nuwara Eliya is only 180 Km from the hot and humid Colombo.
Nuwara Eliya (City of Lights), also known as 'Little' England', was the favourite hill station of the British who tried to create Nuwara Eliya into a typical English Village. The old brick Post office, country house like hill club, with it's hunting pictures, mounted hunting trophies and fish, and it's strict formal dinner attire; the 18 hole golf course, race course etc., all remind you of 'England'.
Nuwara Eliya (City of Lights), also known as 'Little' England', was the favourite hill station of the British who tried to create Nuwara Eliya into a typical English Village. The old brick Post office, country house like hill club, with it's hunting pictures, mounted hunting trophies and fish, and it's strict formal dinner attire; the 18 hole golf course, race course etc., all remind you of 'England'.
sinharaja 3
Located in south-west Sri Lanka, Sinharaja is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. There is much endemic wildlife, especially birds, but the reserve is also home to over 50% of Sri Lanka's endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians.
Sri Lanka's tropical rain forest, the Sinharaja is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. One of the few virgin forests left in the world. Visitors are required to obtain permits from the Wildlife Department in order to visit this sanctuary. Streams, springs, rivers, waterfalls, leopard, monkeys, butterflies and moths, rare trees, valuable shrubs and medicinal herbs are all found within its green canopy. A trek along prescribed paths would provide nature lovers with a never to be forgotten experience of sights and sounds.
The largest mammal in the forest is the rarely spotted leopard, also infrequently glimpsed are the rusty spotted and wild fishing cats. Sambhur, barking deer and wild boar browse on the forest floor. The more common troops of purple-faced langur monkeys will chatter and move through the trees above you, but you're more likely to hear them than actually see them. There are also rats, shrews, giant squirrels, porcupines, civets, mongooses, venomous snakes, 20 species of birds and 45 species of reptiles!.
Sri Lanka's tropical rain forest, the Sinharaja is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. One of the few virgin forests left in the world. Visitors are required to obtain permits from the Wildlife Department in order to visit this sanctuary. Streams, springs, rivers, waterfalls, leopard, monkeys, butterflies and moths, rare trees, valuable shrubs and medicinal herbs are all found within its green canopy. A trek along prescribed paths would provide nature lovers with a never to be forgotten experience of sights and sounds.
The largest mammal in the forest is the rarely spotted leopard, also infrequently glimpsed are the rusty spotted and wild fishing cats. Sambhur, barking deer and wild boar browse on the forest floor. The more common troops of purple-faced langur monkeys will chatter and move through the trees above you, but you're more likely to hear them than actually see them. There are also rats, shrews, giant squirrels, porcupines, civets, mongooses, venomous snakes, 20 species of birds and 45 species of reptiles!.
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