My visit to Shri Lanka
The Great Kingdom of Legendary Ravana of Ramayana epic of India (Bharat)
- Part 3 -

N. Mangi Devi *

My visit to Shri Lanka - N. Mangi Devi

The next day we visited Sita's place – Ashoka grove, where Sita was kept as captive by Ravana – New buildings are coming up statues of Rama, Lakshman and Sita were installed inside the Temple Below the rock streaming are flowing slowly and gracefully where sita is worshipped by Hanumana.

NUWARA ELIYA is famous for its tea gardens to the most extensive and beautiful tea garden LABOOKELLIE CENTRE is on the road side – The roads are broad and fine.

PERAHERA MAWATHA (BEIRA LAKE) stands in the VILLA TAPROSPA, Boats for boating are on the bank of the lake – a small Buddhist temple is also on the eastern side of the lake. Lakes in between the plains and hills are the common feature of Sri Lanka..

As we know and heard tea is the main source of revenue of Sri Lanka. Next the forest products since dense and rich forests covered most the areas of Sri Lanka. As Sri Lanka attracts foreigners. I think visits of the foreigners to Sri Lanka is perennial. They used to come through out the year.

So income from tourists is one the big sources of Sri Lanka's revenue. Another source of income is handicrafts small thing packages of fruits from palm and fruits small baskets made of bamboos are sold at high prices mats made out old clothes.

We have also visited WEWURUKANNALA MAHABIHARA on the hill top where the largest seated Buddha statue is welcoming all visitors. Classes are being held by the monk for the students at corner room of the temple. It appears that they are taught the teachings of Lord Buddha. A bell is hanging from the top of Iron Pole. It has to ring only three times so as to indicate the coming of a devotee.

As we proceed our visit and drove further on the road-side we could see the MATARA FORT, 'KOGGALA' area to have a view of sunset. In between the hills and rock forest a nice lake named 'UNAWATUNA' is shining on the rays of the sun weaving the blue water as if to welcome the visitors. The small temples of Lord Buddha are on the banks of the lake. Temple and statutes of Buddha are very common sight in Sri Lanka. v The next day we drove to Kanniya pilgrim place. We could feel the hot water pleasure's touch at our feet at Kanniya hot springs. There are six hot tanks. One legend about Kanniya origin is that this is the place where king Ravana carried out the last rite of his mother. When he was unable to find water to duly perform the rites his anger pierced his trishula into the ground seven times.

Water started gushing out immediately. The very hot water cooled down to the present degree when Ravanas' anger calmed down. The temperature of the water is different from other normal hot water.

We also visited the THURU KONESWARAM TEMPLE. It was built by Rishi Ayastya on the instruction of Lord Shiva who was impressed by the devotion of king Ravana. This place is unique in this respect because the Lord built a temple for his devotees as a reward for his devotion. Lord Rama is believed to have offered his prayer here in order to get side to the killing Ravana who was a Brahmin meaning Brahmahasthi Doshan.

Adjacent to Koneswaram temple there is another small temple with some significance for Hindu pilgrims. The original Shankari temple said to be built by Ravana was the first in the list of Ashta. The last journey of our visit was on around the southern district of Sri Lanka and Colombo the city capital of Sri Lanka. Places of Tourist interests are all related with legend of Ramayana Epic all about Rama and Ravana story.

1. Kathirkaman-located at Kataragama. Temple of Lord Kasthikeya was requested to go to the battlefield by Lord India of the last day of the war. This was done to protect Lord Rama from the wrath of Brahmasthra aimed by king Ravana which otherwise would have weakened Lord Rama. The benefit was one of the most powerful weapon Brahasthra aimed at Lord Rama for the second time was rendered useless by the presence of Lord Kasthikeya (photo with flag)

2. Ussangoda – It is situated in the southern coast between Ambalantota and Tangalle – Legend says after meeting Seetha Devi Lord Hanumana decided to test the strength of the mighty King Ravana and his army of Rakshasas. In the event that unfolded Lord Hanuman strength was set on fire by the Rakhasas who in turn went to torch some parts of king Ravana's empire. Ussangoda is one of the torched areas which is said to have been an airport used by King Ravana.

Rumassala- located at Galle – southern coasts of Sri Lanka. According to Legend of Ramayana epic, it is a massive hill oddity out of place in the landscape just outside Galle hanbour- Details of legend – During the Rama-Ravana was Rama's brother Lakshman was injured and Hanuman was sent to Himalayas to fetch medicinal herbs. Hunumana forgot the name of the herbs but he brought a chunk of the peak containing many herbs. However the mountain fragment slipped and broke into five pieces of which one fell to Rumassala.

To be continued ...