Wednesday, April 20, 2016



 
The Sun was God to the primitive races that occupied earth. The Sun has been the base on which time and seasons were counted upon. This Sun festival was practiced in Sri L during the rule of pre-historical Emperor Rawan in Dolapabbatha an area close to Pulasthipura now known as Polonnaruwa. The ancient Egyptians it while the Romans called the Sun God “Ra”. Why was it called “Ra”? It may be because Rawana ruled seven continents than extending to South America. It should be noted that the Asuras were also sun worshippers. In fact, in Rome there was festivity when the sun raised to its heights a festival titled “Saturnalia” in honour of the God Sun. Indeed, it was this festival that later came to be celebrated as Christmas by the 3rd century Christian community in Rome.
Although the current 12 months are solar months, what prevailed earlier in most countries were lunar months and all dating was based on the lunar calendar system. But from the beginning, time has been measured astronomically according to the revolutions of the sun and moon and to the recurring celestial phenomena. As distinct from the Christian era, we also have now the Buddhist era, Hindu era etc. The Chinese for example; celebrate their New Year according their calculations. In the current solar month calendar, an average month has four weeks but, they are 52 weeks for a year. Its 13 months. Further if this calendar is exact, how can there be a leap year?
Just as the Christians count their era from the birth of Jesus, the Buddhists do from the passing away of the Lord Buddha in 543 BC. Even this date has been fixed by Sir William Jones but it’s being challenged now as Buddha’s or Siddhartha Gautama’s contemporaries lived around 1887 BCE for which historical evidence exists. The Hindus begin from the Saka era which is the date of the coronation of King Kanishka in India in AD 78. Meanwhile, the Muslims count from the flight (Hijra) of the prophet from Mecca to Medina in AD 622, which is called the Mohammedan era. The ancient world counted the years from the date of Creation in 5508 BC and calls it the Constantinople era. The Romans counted it from the founding of Rome in 753 BC. The first era made use of by the Greeks was that of the Olympiads. All these boiled down to the new Christian era in 394 AD.Coming to our own country, Sri Lankan Sinhalese and Hindus celebrate the New Year on the 13th and 14th of April. In fact, the Jews of the Old Testament counted their new year from the month of Nisan, which is April. We have it in the Bible at Exodus chapter 12, where God Himself’ tells the Chosen race, through Moses and Aaron, that “This month (Nisan which is ‘Bak’ to us) shall be the first month of the year to you.” (vs., I – 7), they were to sacrifice a lamb in celebration of the New Year. This is called the Passover feast. After Christ this date ceased to have any meaning and the Christian community throughout the world celebrate the New Year on 1st January as said earlier.April 13th marks the journey of the Sun from Meena to Mesha (from Pisces to /Pies) in the Zodiac. This is commonly called Mankranthiya” (transition). For Sri Lankaus it is nation. Event and all Lankans join it irrespective of ethnic or religious differences. Inrea and Burma are two countries that celebrate this New YearThe traditions associated with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year are manifold colourful and meaningful to. Auspicious dmes take pride of place in the celebrations. All rituals are carried out to precision at times prescribed by astrologers ahead of the beginning of the year. The inauspicious time is called the “Nonagatra” which means no Neketh (auspicious times), and hence is prescribed to engage in religious observances at temples. Since we are an agricultural people, the journey of the sun has much significance to our social life. Fortunately the period comes in the wake of the “Mahe” harvest, when paddy is collected and stored and it is dine for a well-earned rest for the farming community. The objecfive of the whole feast, is the getting together of the family members. The father of the family and menfolk who are out of the village most of the time during the year, return home to stay with the family members during the festival. Cheerfulness is everywhere, the children are the happiest. The womenfolk are bum long before the dawn of the great day. They are engaged in making sweet meals.In Sri Lanka it is the cuckoo that heralds the dawn of the New Year. The cuckoo is the harbinger of the new season called Wasarelreya. It is said that if two swallows do not make a summer, a single Koha (cuckoo) will announce the Auth Avurudda, Rituals associated with the New Year begin with bathing and end with the first.journey to work after the New Year has dawned.
 

Catching a Glimpse of the Impressive Devon Waterfall


Even though human are slashing and destroying the natural beauty of the world, still there are many wonderful nature creations are proudly standing in Sri Lanka. Among many nature wonders, Devon Waterfall is one of popular waterfalls, which has an incredible scenery and awe-inspiring power of water and is located in Talawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. This dramatic waterfall is known as the “Veil of the Valley” because of its unique formation and it is with an impressive height of 97 meters.
Devon Waterfall is the 19th highest waterfall in Sri Lanka and the name of “Devon” derives from a pioneer English coffee planter called Devon. Travelers can easily reach this Devon Waterfall via Avissawella – Nuwara Eliya A7 Highway and it is located at a convenient location where anyone can make a stop. But if you want to have adventurous things, you have to find the top of the falls through Dimbula – Nawalapitiya road. The base of the Devon Waterfall is also another dramatic location there and travelers can reach it via lush tea estates. It is located some 500 meters down. However, the best, enormous and attractive views of Devon Waterfall can be captured by viewing from Dimbula, where has a dedicated viewing platform. While travelling by a train on the Kandy to Nuwata Eliya line (rail tracks closer to Waagoda) also, travelers can enjoy the fascinating views of this Devon Waterfall. Not only that, but travelers can view these amazing sceneries of this fall from the hamlet of Midigama.
Therefore, travelers those who to lost in greenery  and water world, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura areas are some of best areas in Sri Lanka and this Devon Waterfall is one of the best destinations. And there are many other noteworthy things of bio diversity to see and enjoy there including Bambarakanda Waterfall, Bakers Waterfall, St Clairs Waterfall and Diyaluma Waterfall. And there is wide range of eco-friendly affordable and best Nuwara Eliya hotels and Ratnapura Hotels available, out of endless selection of Hotels in Sri Lanka. So, it’s time to get in touch with one of planet’s mightiest nature creations; Devon Waterfall. - See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/56957/catching-a-glimpse-of-the-impressive-devon-waterfall#sthash.KPg0qp5P.dpuf

Friday, April 1, 2016

Discovering the Dramatic Smoky Mountain - Pidurutalagala


The feeling you get as you reach into Pidurutalagala mountain summit is that this is the best nature creation in Sri Lanka which allows you to experience the breath-stealing views. The name itself “Pidurutalagala” (meaning is “straw laden rock”) implies how it riches with green nature allure.
Pidurutalagala or Mount Pedro is located 7.5km from Nuwara Eliya town, which is the highest peak in Sri Lanka. While Nuwara Eliya being a mountain valley consists of a plateau, Pidurutalagala mountain peak has 2524m height. It is not just a dramatic mountain, it is also a forest reserve of the topmost elevation which riches with bio diversity too. There are many endemic as well as some rare plants, animals, birds and flowers can be found here and some specific plants which are grown in Himalayas of India also can be discovered in this highland. Appearing to be that of gnarled trunks with many divided branches with lichens and moss clinging is the significant characteristic that Pidurutalagala differs from other forest reserves. At early days, there had been only few modes to get to this peak (by walking and by horse riding), but today, it is able to reach the peak by vehicles after obtaining the permission. But trekking is the best way to enjoy Pidurutalagala Mountain summit reaching.
And unlike other highland peaks, it has a flattened mountain peak which is covered whole surface with pale green patna. Pidurutalagala Mountain is an impressive mountain that gifts magnificent views as well as the peak of this mountain has many local broadcasting stations’ towers including the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. And it is a perfect destination to enjoy trekking; especially through jungles, streams and heavy mist while enjoying breath-stealing views.
Therefore, travelers those who wish to lost in greenery and smoky world, Pidurutalagala Mountain in Sri Lanka is the best destination. In addition to this highland, there are many noteworthy things to experience in Nuwara Eliya which gives opportunities to exposure to various bio diversity places as well as historical places, such as Horton Plains, Hakgala Botanical Gardens, Victoria Park and more, with wide range of eco-friendly affordable Hotels in Nuwara Eliya, out of endless selection of Hotels in Sri Lanka. So, it’s time to have a trekking adventure and to get in touch with nature in Pidurutalagala, the highest peak in Sri Lanka, while enjoying other heritages in the country.