Wild Life

Feel the wondering variety of wild life and bio diversity in this little island

Surfing

Arugam Bay in east cost of Sri lanka is the one of best places in earth for surfing.

White Water Rafting

The small town of Kitulgala in the hill country is the most famous whitewater rafting location in Sri Lanka.

Goldi Sand Beaches

Experience the Miracle Beaches

Cultural Events

Kendy Perahara

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Old Days in Sri Lanka

Here you can find some of the pictures taken in old days in Sri Lanka. I have got these pictures from internet. 
See all pictures and feel the great remembrance of Sri Lanka..

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Old Map of Sri Lanka 

Dalada Maligawa - Kandy

Kandyan lady

Kandyan Family

Weddas

Colombo Museum

Construction Train Line - Haputale

Deforestation

Family-1895

Fishermens

Galle Face Hotel - Colombo -1860

Grand Oriental Hotel

Journey to up country

 Matara Station -1895

Matara, Weligama, Polwatta - Rail-Bridge

Mt Lavinia Hotel -1865

Mt Lavinia Hotel -1865

Mt Lavinia Hotel -1865

Ohiya Station – 1893

Peradeniya Garden Entrance

Rikshaw-1895





Sri Padaya

Sri Padaya

Talpe Station - 1895

Temple at Slave Island

Wellawatta-Stream

White Lady with Tamil Servants

Sri Maha Bodhiya - Anuradhapura

Banyan Tree - Colpetty

Bristol Hotel - Colombo

Colombo-Kandy Rail Way

Dimbula Bungalow

Galle Face Hotel - Colombo

Canal - Negambo



Friday, April 27, 2012

Hummanaya (The Blow Hole) - Dickwella




Hummanaya is the only known blowhole in Sri Lanka and it may be the second largest blowhole in the world. Meaning of the word “Hummanaya”  is the distance a sound of "hoo" can be heard.

It is located after Matara and Dikwella town in the Southern Province and at small fishing village called Kudawella 1.1 kilometres (0.7 mi) to the right. Dikwella is a coastal town 89 kilometres (55.3 mi) far away from Colombo and 22 kilometres (13.7 mi) from Matara.


R. L. Brohier first described the Hummanaya Blow Hole in Seeing Ceylon (1965) as “The hoarse gurgling roar gathers in volume – then suddenly, a pillar of water churned to a dazzling whiteness gushes out somewhere up the cliff and for the moment you stand aghast”.
The Hummanaya Blow Hole reputed to be the second largest in the world.  The Hummanaya Blow Hole is one of nature’s fountains and is located about 40 feet above sea level.  It emits a magnificent spray of water reaching about 25 meters into the air every few minutes.
This is the result of sea water rushing in through a submerged cave under the sea and as the pressure builds up, sounds similar to rumble of distant thunder can be heard, and as the pressure is released the water spews breathtakingly into the air.Visitors can be ferried by boat to the location of the Blow Hole to witness this spectacular sight, up close and personal. Along the coast, souvenir shops offering a variety of local handicrafts stand side by side with roadside kiosks selling fruit and drinks, including tasty bites of fried fish.
Both Sri Lankans and tourists should veer off the beaten track and travel to Kudawella and see this phenomenal natural fountain and not miss out on an experience of lifetime.






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Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Vesak Festival in Sri Lanka



Vesak is celebrated as a religious and a cultural festival in Sri Lanka on the full moon of the lunar month of Vesak (Usually fall on Gregory month of May), for a duration about one week.During this week, the selling of alcohol and fresh meat is usually prohibited, with abattoirs also being closed. Celebrations include various religious and alms giving activities. Electrically lit pandols called toranas are erected in various locations mainly in Colombo, Kandy, Galle and elsewhere, most sponsored by donors, religious societies and welfare groups. Each pandol illustrates a story from the 550 Jataka Katha or the 550 Past Life Stories of the Buddha. In addition, colourful lanterns called Vesak koodu are hung along streets and in front of homes. They signify the light of the Buddha, Dharma and the Sangha. Food stalls set up by Buddhist devotees called dansälas provide free food and drinks to passersby. Groups of people from various community organisations, businesses and government departments sing bhakti gee or Buddhist devotional songs. Colombo experiences a massive influx of public from all parts of the country during this week.





Vesak Pandols (Thorana) in Sri Lanka

In Vesak Season in Sri Lanka, Electrically lit Vesak pandols called toranas are erected in various locations in Colombo and elsewhere, most sponsored by donors, religious societies and welfare groups. Each pandol illustrates a story from the 550 Jathaka Katha or the 550 Past Life Stories of the Buddha. While watching illuminated thoranas the recitation of Sinhala verses to the beat of the rabanas throughout the night became popular. 



Monday, April 23, 2012

Ussangoda National Park - Kalametiya, Ambalantota


Ussangoda is a place of natural beauty and a designated archaeological site and 21st National Park in Sri Lanka, situated on the Colombo - Kataragama road near Ambalantota Nonagama Junction in Hambantota District of Sri Lanka. It is also a nature reserve and is located in the southern turtle breeding zones. Ussangoda is a patch of high ground by the sea and spreads over a significant area. But unlike the reset of the land surrounding, it is only covered with grasses and a few smalls pockets of pigmy forests. The summit of Ussangoda area pans like a plateau for a significant length.


Ussangoda is a legendary landing place of Ravana, the evil king of Hindu mythology who piloted his special peacock chariot across the skies. The area’s landscape is unusual, and its red earth is barren – possibly the result of a meteor that struck in ancient times.

Place provides a panoramic view of the beach and the sea. The extent of this place is approximately 20 acres and very little grows on the barren red earth. Scrub jungle surrounds Ussangoda from the land side and on the sea side the plateau drops a sheer 60 feet over a rocky escarpment out to the open sea below. In ancient times this area was struck by a meteorite and the barren and unusual landscape stills bares witness to this catastrophic event.




The best time of day to visit Ussangoda is close to sunset when the setting sun illuminates the earth in brilliant hues of red and orange. Birds are active at this time giving nature lovers an opportunity to spot many dry zone species, while black napped hares make cameo appearances on the plains before darting off into the nearby scrub. The eroded cliff faces reflect the evening light in shades of pink and red that provides a dramatic backdrop against the blue of the Indian Ocean. Near the water's edge, the strong waves have eroded away parts of the cliff, creating interesting rock formations. Isolated rocks stand out like sentinels, casting shadows across the beach while standing tall to face the constant pounding of the incessant waves. Standing atop the cliff you can look out across the vast Indian Ocean towards Antarctica, the next landmass due south. Or else take a look down below. You may see a few turtles swimming near the reef.

Geological and Archaeological Importance

Ussangoda is note for unusual placement by soil structure, flora, location. There are many folk stories related to this site which include different takes about the land. General belief is that it is a part of a meteor or a proximity to a meteor hit ground zero. The main rationale for this belief is the soils brick-like hard quality with a reddish colour which is unique to this patch of land. Some rocks and soil layers contain what some speculate to be remnants of an extreme heat (caused by an event such as a meteor hit). It is also suspected that the soil has a high concentration of minerals/metals giving its unique colour. In several places, especially by the sea facing areas rocks and soil can be observed clearly having multiple layers usually with distinct colourization. It is however unclear whether these speculations have been tested in any proper scientific study at all. It can be also noticed that Ussangoda is located geographically closer to another archaeological site "Miniha Gal Kanda", where evidence for pre-historic human existence has been found.
The rock debris has high iron concentration. Magnets attract them. Need further testings to confirm.

Mythology

There are several mythologies related to the area. The site is considered a sacred / forbidden ground for general affairs in local lore. One popular mythological belief is that Ussangoda is a ground of the local demi-god "Mangara". Other beliefs range from religiously rooted backgrounds to the unwritten/alternate history related to Ravana. The validity of these beliefs remain largely untested to date.





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