Friday, February 24, 2012

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Encounter with a wild elephant - Buththala, Sri Lanka.

Travelling on the road from Sella Katharagama to Buththala we saw this wild elephant on the road. I was with a group of elders from Avissawella doing a 'Vandanaa Gamana'. This elephant had a history of attacking a van in the past. The driver of the bus was very cool and stopped the bus with the engine running. The elephant first felt the 'puwak mal' tied to the front of the bus. It subsequently came on the drivers side of the bus. At this moment the driver gently moved the bus forward and picked up speed and left the surprised animal far behind.


Click on web link below to see the video taken by me.
Philip G V
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd28r79aeuw

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Murikandy Pillayaar, A9 Highway, Sri Lanka.

Murikandy is a near halfway point between Jaffna and Kandy. Hence it got its Tamil name (Muri-break, Kandy-Kandy). 'Pillayaar' the God who removes obstacles. He is also called 'Vikkinarasa' in Tamil meaning 'King (supervising) over obstructions'. A temple dedicated to 'Pillayaar' is situated here. Travellers stop and pay pooja at this temple breaking a coconut to propitate 'Pillayaar' who would help to remove all obstacles to ones travel. I took this video of a 'poosai' at this temple. Please click on the following web-link below:-


PhilipGV

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The Dagoba - Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka.

The Dagoba with a history of more than 2000 years.



Discarded flower offerings awaiting disposal.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Dinner at Nalini's







A dinner at Nalini's. See how the batch-mates have aged gracefully. Males in the picture - Daya Rodrigo, Tissa Rathnayake and Francis Pitigala.