SRI LANKA - WORLD HERITAGE SITES [COLLAGE ]

THE RUINED CITIES OF ANURADHAPURA AND POLONNARUWA ILLUSTRATE THE GLORY OF THE ANCIENT KINGDOMS. THE GIGANTIC STUPAS AND BUDDHA STATUTES ARE AMONG THE BIGGEST MAN MADE STRUCTURES OF THE WORLD. THE MASSIVE RESERVOIRS, BUILT BY ANCIENT KINGS TO IRRIGATE THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF LAND, ARE MARVELS OF HYDRO ENGINEERING. THERE ARE EIGHT UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN SRI LANKA

Pics by : Gerrit,Netty,Hans and Hanneke [ Belgium ]

Sri Lanka Tour, May 2011

SRI LANKA - ABORIGINES [ COLLAGE ]

The original inhabitants of the Island, Aborigines or Veddas, have been absorbed into the mainstream Sinhalese society, as a result dwindling jungles due to rapid development. Their deep knowledge of the forest and ancestral beliefs will be lost for ever in time to come. Today only a few clans of these ancient people live scattered in remote jungles.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

SRI LANKA - THE GRAND PAGEANT [ VIDEO ] PART 1

YOU TUBE VIDEO :  http://youtu.be/dU5v6o7Ms90

SRI LANKA - PHILATELY [ POSTAL SERVICES ]

The first stamps for Ceylon were issued on 1 April 1857.^[1] The stamp features a portrait of Queen Victoria and is brown in colour.It is a 6 penny denomination used to send a half ounce letter from Ceylon to England.8 more stamps were issued in year 1857, all featuring the portrait of Queen Victoria.One of the 5 stamps that were issued on 23rd april 1859 is considered to be the most valuable stamp in Sri Lanka.It is a 4 penny denomination with a dark pink colour known as the 'Dull Rose'


                                                    Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

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First Day Cover - By courtesy, Ana

SRI LANKA - ABORIGINES [ VEDDAS ]

The late aborigine leader Thisahamy positioning the bow.

The traditional greeting, a firm clasp of both hands.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka

Year  : 1983

SRI LANKA - ANCIENT STONE STRUCTURES

This alms trough carved out of stone was used to serve food to the monks at the Mihintale monastery.

The mammoth inscription stone at Polonnaruwa was constructed during the reign of king Nissanka Malla [ 1187 - 1196 ]

Pics by : Gerrit,Netty,Hans and Hanneke [ Belgium ]

Sri Lanka Tour, May 2011

SRI LANKA - DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE [ 1st CENTURY BC ]

The ceiling of the caves are covered with intricate paintings depicting the life of The Buddha. Dambulla cave temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pics by : Gerrit,Netty,Hans and Hanneke [ Belgium ]

Sri Lanka Tour, May 2011

SRI LANKA - ANCIENT MEDICINE BATH AND MOONSTONE

The medicine bath carved out of stone, at the Mihinthale historical ruins,  was used to immerse patients in medicinal oil.

 

Moonstones were placed at entrances to Buddhist shrines, the elaborately carved stone slabs were semi circular with carvings of swans, elephants, lions, horses and bulls.

Pics by : Gerrit,Netty,Hans and Hanneke [ Belgium ]

Sri Lanka Tour, May 2011

SRI LANKA - DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE

The Dambulla cave temples date back to the 1st century BC, there are over 80 caves in the vicinity and the five main caves contain 153 Buddha statutes. This is the most impressive cave temple in Asia.

Pics by : Gerrit,Netty,Hans and Hanneke [ Belgium ]

Sri Lanka Tour, May 2011

SRI LANKA - POLONNARUWA VATADAGE

The word vatadage literally means circular relic house or shrine. The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is one of the finest out of the ten remaining Vatadages in Sri Lanka. The two guard stones on either side of the Moonstone at each entrance deserve a special mention, they are an example of the finest and most elaborate stone carvings of ancient Sri Lanka.

Pics by : Gerrit,Netty,Hans and Hanneke [ Belgium ]

Sri Lanka Tour, May 2011

SRI LANKA - SIGIRIYA ROCK FORTRESS [ FRESCOS 477 CE ]

Sigiriya (Lion's rock, Sinhalese - සීගිරිය, Tamil=சிகிரியா) is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescos),^[1] which are reminiscent of the Ajantha Caves of India. It is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.^[2][3]

                                                                                     
                                                                                Wikipedia the free Encyclopedia

Pics by : Gerrit,Netty,Hans and Hanneke [ Belgium ]

Sri Lanka Tour, May 2011

KANDY MUSEUM [ 15 TH CENTURY ARTIFACTS ]

Flutes, spectacles and cases

Replica of the crown - last king of the

Kandyan kingdom 

  

Ornamental hat worn by

 Kandyan chieftains

Cutting implements

    
 Pics by : Nelsonlanka

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SRI LANKA - KANDY MUSEUM [ ANCIENT WEAPONS ]

Arrows used by ancient soldiers

Pistols and shotguns of the Dutch period

Dutch cannon

Axes of different shapes

Pics by  : Nelsonlanka


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SRI LANKA - KANDY MUSEUM [ 15 TH CENTURY ARTIFACTS ]

The Moonstone [ sandakada pahana ] symbolizes the cycle of 

Saṃsāra. The liyavel symbolise worldly desires (Taṇhā) and the 

lotus depicts the final achievement of Nirvana^[12] The elephant, 

bull, lion and horse depict birth, decay, disease and death 

respectively, while the swans symbolize the distinction between 

good and bad.^[1]

The grinding stones of different shapes for grinding grain and

medicinal herbs.

 Oil lamp of elaborate design, made of brass.

Daggers with exquisitely carved ivory handles.

Pics by : Nelsonlanka
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SRI LANKA - HERITAGE [ INTERIOR DECOR, TEMPLE OF THE SACRED TOOTH RELIC, KANDY ]

Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese Kings. Built during

the period of the Kingdom of Kandy [ 15 th century ] the Temple

of The Sacred Tooth Relic depicts the creative ability of ancient 
craftsmen. The paintings,stone carvings and murals are among 
the finest.

 
Pics : Nelsonlanka

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