Ancient City of Polonnaruwa | Sri Lanka

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Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is an ancient structure dating back to the Polonnaruwa Period of Sri Lanka.

The vatadage is an ancient type of Buddhist structure. Vatadages were built around small stupas for their protection, which often enshrined a relic or were built on hallowed ground. Only ten vatadages now remain in Sri Lanka. 

 

The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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A Cave Temple from Sri Lanka

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“At the top of the list of things to do in Dambulla is the Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla.  Comprised of 5 caves and a picturesque facade carved into the side of a steep rock face, the Dambulla Cave Temple houses ancient statues and paintings depicting the Buddha and his life.“ (www.dambulla.com)

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(left) International Organizations: 80 Years of Rotary in Sri Lanka.

(right) Ancient stone bridge at Mahakanadarawa dates back to the 7th century.

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Kandy Perahera Pagent in Sri Lanka

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The Kandy Esala Perahera is a combination of both Buddhist and Singhalese culture, consisting of a ceremony where the sacred tooth relic of Buddha is paraded through the streets in order to invoke the blessing of rain from the gods. A ritual believed to date back to 3rd century BC; the first Perahera was performed in Anuradhapura. However, due to invasions, the tooth relic was shifted, finally finding a permanent home in Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth). The Temple of the Tooth is Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist shrine, which has housed the Sacred Tooth Relic since the 16th Century.

The distinguishing feature of this fiesta is the colorful processions that includes decorated elephants, traditional dancers and oboe-tooting musicians.

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(left) 50 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Cuba. The tree was planted by Che Guevara at Horana.

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