Serendipity

20/05/2016

28/04/2016

Sigiriya is an ancient city built atop a giant megalithic rock that towers 200 metres above the surrounding landscape. It is located in a remote location in the Matale District of the Central Province, Sri Lanka, and has mystified visitors to the site throughout its long and colourful history. Designated a cultural World Heritage Site in 1982, Sigiriya continues to be a site of research, study and speculation as experts try to unveil the mystery and enigma shrouding this historical site.

It is believed that the environment around Sigiriya has been inhabited since prehistoric times – a rock shelter to the east of Sigiriya shows evidence of occupation going back nearly five thousand years during the Mesolithic period. There is also clear evidence that the many rock shelters and caves in the vicinity were occupied by Buddhist monks and ascetics from as early as the 3rd century BC. However, Sigiriya is most famous for the period beginning in the 5 th century when it was transformed into a palace, fortress and pleasure garden by King Kashyapa (Kassapa).

26/04/2016

Lipton's seat is the highest point of the mountain range, where the most famous Tea planter of Ceylon, Sir Thomas Lipton used to admire & enjoy the panoramic view served by Haputale. Although the 7km hike is tiresome, the arrival at one of the finest view points in the country-the famous double of famous World's End relaxes your tired feet & soothes your nerves. We must rush in the early morning before the mist set in.

The first estate that Lipton bought in Ceylon was known Downall Group in Haputale & included Estates Dambatenne, Llaymostatte & Monarakande. In his memoirs, he wrote, "between the Estate I had bought & the big sum of money I left with my agent I think I must have invested well over a 100,000 pounds in Ceylon within a week of my arrival in that lovely & delectable island of spicy breezes."

08/04/2016

Endemic Birds of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a bird’s paradise with 435 resident species. There are 26 endemic birds. Most of them are found in the wet zone. The winter migrants come from distant Siberia and Europe. The reservoirs attract vast number of water birds. The forests attracted by many other species.
26 birds have been identified as endemic birds of Sri Lanka. Most of these birds are threatened by rapid destruction of forest and drying off of water flows.

03/08/2014

The Esala Perahera in Kandy is one of the oldest and grandest of all Buddhist festivals, featuring dancers, jugglers, musicians, fire-breathers, and lavishly decorated elephants This is held in the month of Esala (July or August) as to celebrate Buddha’s conceive and many years later his leaving of the family home. The Kandy Esala Perahera lasting for ten days. The Sinhalese term ‘perahera’ means a parade of musicians, dancers, singers, acrobats and various other performers accompanied by a large number of caparisoned Tuskers and other elephants parading the streets in celebration of a religious event.

31/05/2014