Arriving at Chennai International airport around 4:30 on the morning of the 26th of January, the ever-smiling Mr Balaji, our tour organiser and main guide, welcomed the travellers by handing over an orange Mantra cap and neatly packed idlis sprinkled with molaga pudi for breakfast. After the routine check-in, security and exchange of few pleasantries between the travellers, we boarded the flight, Indigo 6E-1201, to Colombo. The dream started to unfold into reality. The land of Ravana was ready to welcome us, Ayobhuwan.
On arrival at Colombo airport, we were greeted with a garland of beautifully stringed flowers. Dangling it around our necks, we boarded a majestic Mercedes Benz bus, in which the pilot and co-pilot had an enthusiastic smile. Vijay, our local guide, welcomed us in a Sinhala style ‘Ayobhuwan’ (meaning ‘Ayushmanbhava’), promising to be with us for the next few days, which he did whole-heartedly.
Day 1: Anuradhapura
It was a long drive straight from the airport. Our first spot was a beautiful modern temple with huge sculptures of deities.
Munneswaram temple
A shivalingam was already here when Lord Rama visited the place. After the victorious battle vanquishing Ravana, Lord Rama left with Sita to Ayodhya in one of Ravana’s Vimana. He felt Brahmaasthi Dosham following him. So he stopped the Vimana and did pooja to this lingam. Lord Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised installing and praying four lingams to get rid of doshams at:
- Manavari
- Thiru Koneswaram
- Thiru Kateshwaram
- Rameshwaram
The Manavari temple is believed to be the first lingam to be installed by Lord Rama. Till date, this lingam ‘Ramalingashivam’ is the only lingam named after Lord Rama in the world. I was fascinated to see the betel leaves were bigger than the size of my palm and they measured approximately 8’’-10’’ in length and 5”-6” in width.
After having lunch at The Heritage, we headed to the Buddhastupa-Jaya shri Maha Bodhi, which is a sacred fig tree in the Mahamewana gardens. It is said to be a branch from Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. 1000-2000-year-old pupil trees encompasses this vast serene area.
To Isurumuniya temple
This was built in the 3rd century B.C.. There is an ancient royal garden with beautiful stone carvings, reclined Buddha and a small museum which displays the origin of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. On climbing up to the top of the rock, we had a beautiful and captivating sunset view and an amazing view of the surrounding area.
Day 2: Trincomalee
The Laxmi Narayana Kovil has an assembly of deities, which is a massive temple that is colorfully decorated. The third lingam was installed by Ravana at Koneswaram malai. It is positioned overlooking the Indian Ocean. Due to the terrain, the bus stopped at the foot of the malai. We took an auto ride for the next kilometer to reach the top. At the top, we saw a beautiful herd of deer, an array of shops and famous “Ravana cut”.
The Badhrakali temple
The enchanting sculptures on the ceiling of the temple were astounding, colourful and vivid. It is an incredible piece of art.
We had a sumptuous lunch at the Golden Palm restaurant. We went to the beach in the backyard of the hotel. The bright hot sun and cool waves touching our feet were enthralling. We drove to the Sigiriya Hills, an ancient rock fortress about 370 meters above sea level. It is declared by UNESCO as the 8th wonder of the world. The king, Kulasekara Raja, helped develop a good system of irrigation and lush green vegetation around this area. The climb is strenuous but not impossible. The first to the top was our fittest and fastest ex-army officer at the age of 82, Mr. Natarajan. He is an inspiration to us all.
Day 3: Kandy
Another steep climb to the Dambulla Royal cave temple to a large reclining Buddha statue carved in a single large granite rock which dates back to the 12th century. The atmosphere here is very calm and serene. We found many statues of Buddha in standing, reclining and meditating state.
When we descended from the temple we came across a huge golden colored statue of Buddha in a meditating state on top of a rock. The carvings on the sculpture were exquisite.After lunch, we went to a gem factory. The buried treasure, amazing sparkling and rare colored gems left us spellbound. Across the road was our next place of visit – a cultural hall where a spectacular performance of Sri Lankan culture and ethnic activity was witnessed. The most captivating moment was an artist walking on fire on red hot coal and embers.
I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions!A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which
I sink under the weight of the splendour of these visions!A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquis
I throw myself down among the tall grass
I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now. When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and
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Copy Writers ambushed her, made her drunk with Longe and Parole and dragged her into their agency, where they abused her for their projects again and again. And if she hasn’t been rewritten, then they are still using her.Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their plate.