It’s little wonder that the historic Koneshwaran Temple has the reputation of being the best-known tourist attraction where people from all walks of life throng, when they visit the city of Trincomalee. According to puranas, Lord Shiva, accompanied by the Devas, Rishees and others, is said to have taken their abode here on Thirikonamalai and restored calm weather. And thus Thirikonamalai became a holy place, and as Shiva or Eshwaran took his abode here, it was therefore known as Thiru-Kon-Eshwaran. Another piece of history is that Chola Kankan, a prince had arrived here on pilgrimage, in keeping with a parental vow and found the temple in shambles. He had immediately taken steps to rebuild the temple in the magnificent Pallawa architecture style.
Saturday 21 January 2017
The life of James Taylor, the Scottish planter, who began the island’s tea industry
The tale of Taylor and tea is an often-told one. The sesquicentennial being celebrated this year dates from when James Taylor supervised the planting of tea plants on Field No.7 at Loolecondera Estate, 34 km southeast of Kandy.
Taylor arrived in Ceylon on February 20, 1852, just a few weeks before his 17th birthday. He was unhappy with the brutal behaviour of the planter on the estate (Naranghena) to which he was assigned so, after six weeks, transferred to Loolecondera. Coffee was the crop then and Taylor was diligent in turning the virgin plantation into a profitable venture, building a bungalow for himself, and even creating a flourishing flower garden. He experimented with other crops such as nutmeg, clove, vanilla and cardamom but had the most success with growing and marketing cinchona bark (the source of quinine).
Taylor arrived in Ceylon on February 20, 1852, just a few weeks before his 17th birthday. He was unhappy with the brutal behaviour of the planter on the estate (Naranghena) to which he was assigned so, after six weeks, transferred to Loolecondera. Coffee was the crop then and Taylor was diligent in turning the virgin plantation into a profitable venture, building a bungalow for himself, and even creating a flourishing flower garden. He experimented with other crops such as nutmeg, clove, vanilla and cardamom but had the most success with growing and marketing cinchona bark (the source of quinine).
Read more: Taylor-made: Sri Lankan Tea
Friday 20 January 2017
Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya
The mystical rock and cave temple complex known as Sithulpawwa is thought to have been built in the third century. Known throughout the island as one of the great pilgrim sites of Sri Lanka it is all the more exciting and dangerous for the un-initiated as it lies inside Yala wildlife reserve, which requires crossing a bridge from Block One to Block Two on foot. Risking ones life among the bull elephants and frisky leopards is truly a test of faith as they will if hungry happily take a whole cow or monkey, in one jaw dropping moment, as they pounce on their prey.
The serene quietness of the place, even when busy with pilgrims, is why people say it is so uplifting as one is not only close to nature and what many refer to as the original Garden of Eden, but also touched by the words of the Buddhist monks that live inside the temple grounds. Seeing Yala game reserve through its religious buildings reminds one how until recently this was open land and the only way to see the area was on foot or by ox cart, as cars and jeeps in the bigger scheme of things are very new.
Read more: The Hill Of The Quiet Mind
Sunday 15 January 2017
Annona, the Aristocrat of fruits
Mark Twain called the cherimoya (Annona Cherimola) "the most delicious fruit known to men!" The Sweetsop/Sugar apple (Annona Squamosa) is called the "Aristocrat of fruits". Garden Talk spoke to Director, Institute of Indigenous Medicine, Swarna Hapuarachchi on Annona, genus of the family, Annonaceae that contains absolutely mouthwatering fruits.
"Cherimoya (Annona Cherimola) is a tree that produces white fleshed custard like fruit that is sweet and delicious. The creamy texture of the flesh gives the fruit its secondary name, custard apple. A name it shares with Annona Reticulata. Cherimoya is a small-sized fruit with mosaic patterns on the skin surface. The fruit is also known as the "tree of ice cream," owing to its creamy consistency. The fruit is commonly used in smoothies, ice creams, pie fillings and mousse.
"Cherimoya (Annona Cherimola) is a tree that produces white fleshed custard like fruit that is sweet and delicious. The creamy texture of the flesh gives the fruit its secondary name, custard apple. A name it shares with Annona Reticulata. Cherimoya is a small-sized fruit with mosaic patterns on the skin surface. The fruit is also known as the "tree of ice cream," owing to its creamy consistency. The fruit is commonly used in smoothies, ice creams, pie fillings and mousse.
Read more: Annona, the Aristocrat of fruits
Thursday 12 January 2017
Kelaniya temple
The most important centre of faith for Buddhists living in and around the capital is at Kelaniya, 12 kilometres northeast of Colombo and a short detour off Kandy Road. Indeed, the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is said to be one of the three places on the island that the Buddha himself made a special point of visiting.
The exact date of Kelaniya’s origin is unknown, but according to the Mahawamsa, the Buddha visited Kelaniya on two separate occasions. Over the centuries, the fortunes of the temple have reflected those of Sri Lanka, with high points marked by artistic excellence and low points at times of colonial domination. Though Kelaniya has been a place of worship for over 2,000 years, the present temple buildings date mostly from 1880 to 1940.
The exact date of Kelaniya’s origin is unknown, but according to the Mahawamsa, the Buddha visited Kelaniya on two separate occasions. Over the centuries, the fortunes of the temple have reflected those of Sri Lanka, with high points marked by artistic excellence and low points at times of colonial domination. Though Kelaniya has been a place of worship for over 2,000 years, the present temple buildings date mostly from 1880 to 1940.
Sunday 8 January 2017
Miss England to promote Sri Lanka
The Miss England beauty contest is set to become the next event to be held in Sri Lanka together with Miss Premier Ceylon that would feature Sri Lankan contestants as well vying for an international title. The Miss England pageant’s finalists would arrive in the island in July and tour the island on photo shoots and talent shows including workshops held for the contestants.
Tuesday 3 January 2017
Colombo National Museum
The Colombo Museum was established on January 1, 1877 by the British Governor of Ceylon Sir William Henry Gregory. The idea of establishing a museum was brought to his notice by The Royal Asiatic Society (CB). They obtained the approval of the legislative council with much difficulty a year later. J. G. Smither an architect from the Public Works Department planned the building. The construction work was carried out by Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar who was also the builder of the General Post Office in Colombo, Colombo Customs, Old Town Hall in Pettah, Galle Face Hotel, Victoria Arcade, Finlay Moir building, the Clock Tower, Batternburg Battery and many other buildings that are still standing today. The construction of The Colombo Museum was completed in 1876 and the museum opened its doors to the public in 1877. Its first director was Dr Amyrald Haly. Dr Arthur Willey and Dr J Pearson followed. Dr P E P Deranuyagala was its first Sinhala director who took over the museum in 1939.
The museum compound is around seven acres. Around 2000 artifacts were on display at the opening of the Colombo Museum. Over the years thousands more items of ancient cultural and heritage value had joined the collection.The two lower floor of the museum houses artifacts periodwise while the upper floor is divided subjectwise. There are 16 galleries in the museum. The ground floor consists of: Pre and Proto Historic Periods Gallery, Anuradhapura Period Gallery, Polonnaruwa Period Gallery, Transitional Period Gallery, Kandy Period Gallery and Stone Antiquities Gallery. The upper floor gallery arrangement consists of the Painting Gallery, Textile Gallery, Ceramic Gallery, Coins and Currency Gallery, Standards and Banners Gallery, Arts and Crafts Gallery, Arms and Armaments Gallery, Traditional Rituals Gallery Traditional Agriculture Gallery and Furniture Gallery (proposed).
The museum compound is around seven acres. Around 2000 artifacts were on display at the opening of the Colombo Museum. Over the years thousands more items of ancient cultural and heritage value had joined the collection.The two lower floor of the museum houses artifacts periodwise while the upper floor is divided subjectwise. There are 16 galleries in the museum. The ground floor consists of: Pre and Proto Historic Periods Gallery, Anuradhapura Period Gallery, Polonnaruwa Period Gallery, Transitional Period Gallery, Kandy Period Gallery and Stone Antiquities Gallery. The upper floor gallery arrangement consists of the Painting Gallery, Textile Gallery, Ceramic Gallery, Coins and Currency Gallery, Standards and Banners Gallery, Arts and Crafts Gallery, Arms and Armaments Gallery, Traditional Rituals Gallery Traditional Agriculture Gallery and Furniture Gallery (proposed).
Read more: Standing the test of time
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)