My visit to Shri Lanka
The Great Kingdom of Legendary Ravana of Ramayana epic of India (Bharat)
- Part 2 -

N. Mangi Devi *

My visit to Shri Lanka - N. Mangi Devi

On the second day we drove to Kandy the central District Shri Lanka Visit Dambulla Cave Temple. It is the Golden Temple the Dome is made of Gold the Buddha Statue is also of Gold. Raw of Buddhist monks standing above the beautiful rock facing the Golden Temple is very attractive. There we met many foreigners mainly coming from China and South East Asia.

There are Big hall conference Hall as this place is the International Research Centre for the Buddhists it is said that every year in the month of April and May the International Conference is being held there. There are temples of Shiva and Parvati Temples and also there are many statutes of Hindu God and Goddesses at Dirimalai on the Sea shore as you know Sri Lanka is surrounded in all directions by the Seas.

Out of 25 districts of Sri Lanka we have visited 9 district where there are many tourist interest places like Kandy, Nuwara Eliya – Nuwara Ella- there we find Gayathri Peedam where king Ravana's son Meghanath propitiated Lord Shiva with penance and poojas and in return was granted super natural powers by lord Shiva, visited Hakgala Botanical gardens and Seethal Amman Temple.

Most of places of tourist interest are related to the ancient legendary stories of Ravana, Rama Seetha and Hanuman and Buddhists Temples. We can say that Sri Lanka is more or less the Buddhist country from socio-religions point of view. The peoples are very much akin to Tamil and the scripts and languages are also similar to that of Tamil of course there may be difference from their behaviours and style of action it appears that the peoples are more or less honest as they are followed the teaching of Lord Buddha.

At Kandy we had breakfast at the special canteen established and managed by the department of Agriculture govt. of Sri Lanka. The foods are fully prepared in their style. The services are good and taste of food is also fine. Everything and everywhere things are fine and neat and clean. On the road side food shops are seen at Nuwara ELLIYA and Nuwara – ELLA.

People mostly foreigners from South East Asia, Japan and China and American and Europeans are enjoying the foods and cold nice breeze and calm environments. Kandy district is one the most wel-development districts of Sri Lanka. There are beautiful lakes in between the mountains, temples and it is the cultural centre of Sri Lanka, KANDYAN CULTURAL CENTRE named 'Sangaraja Mawatha' gracely stands on the Southern bank of the lake.

At evening 5.00 to 6.00 pm we witnessed the cultural show like MAGULBERA – (ceremonial Drums) blowing of the couch shell is the traditional invocation at the commencement of any function and drums (bera) are an integral part of the ritual. It is ancient Sinhala custom to present ritual music when seeking the blessing of the Guardian Deities of the land.

RABAN – traditional folk dance played by the male and female dancers MAYURANATUMA (Peacock Dance) The girls depict the graceful movements of the peacock which according to mythology is the bird that transports Skanda the War-God of Ceylon worshiped by Buddhists and Hindus alike KULUNATUMA (Harvest dance) A traditional folk dance performed by village damsels to celebrate the rich harvest.

The dance portrays sequences from reaping to winnowing the grain. This is a buoyant dance providing ample opportunities for displaying grace it is danced to the accompaniment of light drum beats and the haunting strains of the flute GINI SISILA (Fire Dance). A south Ceylon fire dance showing the powers of charms over fire and twenty seven devils that can trouble mankind. The absolute faith of the fire dancers protects them from the flames. This dance also included fire-eating.

My visit to Shri Lanka - N. Mangi Devi

VES NATUMA – The most important Kandyan dance form. Ves is the traditional attire of the Kandyan dancer. Sixty-four orbaments complete the dress and traditionally their sheen symbolizes the rays of the sun. The DRUM ORCHESTERA has five categories of traditional instruments which are usually played three times a day in places of worship as a tribute to Lord Buddha.

The varying beats of the different drums blend together in perfect union and harmony. This music was also played in honour of royalty FIRE WALKING – The origin of fire walking can be traced back to the epic story of Rama and Sita, Ravana the king of Ceylon had abducted the princess Sita from India when Rama her husband regained her she proved her chasity during her enforced stay with Ravana by walking on fire bare foot unhurt.

The devotees who perform fire walking seek the divine blessing of Lord Kataragama and Goddess Pattini. We overnight stay at ELLA – Clamant beautiful hill resort. In the morning we drove to visit Sri Lankalhilaka Rajamaha Viharaya – The world Heritage. They charge Rs 300 (Lank money) per head to enter the Temple Lord Buddha's rituals are regularly conducted daily starting from 6am to 11 am and again at evening starts from 6 pm.

It had been performing regularly for a period of over 800 year. It had been declared by UNO as the World Heritage. Many relics of Buddha like Tooth kept in the caskets are kept the Buddha statue and statue of king Buwanekabahu IV are inside the Temple.

Then the famous TOOTH SHRINE – The shrine is very beautiful the inside ceiling is wonderfully painted with bright colours of different designs and colour. Many people both local devotees and foreign visitors are gathered. Long queue of devotees and worshippers were standing in queue. People offered flowers filled in the bamboo baskets are bringing to offer to Lord Buddha.

Polices are deployed inside and outside the temple to guard and control of the crowded. At 11 am the Arathi was lighted by the monk. People tried to worship the golden casket in which the most precious relic of Lord Buddha's tooth is kept inside the golden casket. The casket was lighted brightly. Luckily we had face to face visit 'Darshan' of the sacred relic of Lord Buddha.

To be continued ...