Saman Dewale, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

Boats on the shore of the Kalu Ganga opposite Saman Dewale.

Wall on the old rampart of the earlier Portuguese Fort.

An old stupa inside the temple premises.

Entrance gate to the temple premises seen from inside the premises.

Saman Dewale on  the Rathnapura - Panadura road was the site of an ancient temple. It is surrounded on ita three sides by the waters of the Kalu Ganga. This is reminiscent of the situation of the 'Barandy Kovil' at Avissawella. There was boat traffic from Kalutara to Batugedara beyond Rathnapura, on the river. An annual Perahera carrying the sacred Tooth-relic of Lord Buddha was held for ten years in this temple during the reign of King Rajasinghe of Sithawake in the 16th Century of the Present Era. The Portuguese captured this site and built a fort here. During Brtish times this place had a temple dedicated to Lakshmanan the brother of the legendary Rama. It is now a temple of Lord Saman the guardian diety of Sri Pada - Adam's Peak.

'Mountain Squirrel' at Saman Dewale, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

I spotted this chap on a tall tree near the p;lace where the fruits from the 'pooja' site was dumped. It was part of the wild life near the temple. Called 'Dandu Lena' in Sinhalese and 'Mara Anil' in Tamil.

Watch video by clicking link below:-

 http://youtu.be/TN4umT1jWVg

A rock and trees near it bearing abundant fruit, Pothgul Vihara area, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

A Jak and a coconut tree near a large rock.

The large rock.

The Jak tree bearing a lot of fruits.

It is part of village lore in Sri Lanka that any sap-bearing tree ('Kiri gas') with its roos near a large rock on the ground bear plenty of fruits. They ascribe it to the heat retained by the large rock. I saw this on the road to 'Pothgul Vihara'.

Flowers by the wayside, Pothgu Vihara road, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

Paintings inside the "Chaithya', Rathganga, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

Coming down.

Painting inside on the ground floor of the 'Chaithya.

Inside the 'Chaithya', Rathganga, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

Wall paintings depicting stories of the life of the Buddha in the bottom floor.

The upper floor housing a miniature Dagoba and Apsaras and Gods painted on the inner wall of the 'Chaithya'.

Rathganga, Galboda, Rathnapura, Sri Lanka.

The bridge over Rathganga.

A 'Varichchy' style house.

Pilgrims hall.

A decorative bridge.

'Rathganga' is a hamlet in the hills above Galboda on the Rathnapura - Wewalwaththe road. The Buddhist temple and the surrounding village was developed by the Late Mr. Premadasa. It attracts a lot of pilgrims now. It is close to Sri Paada and the scenic beauty is superb. Very often the village is shrouded in mist adding to its enchantment.