Kandyan wedding (Continued)

The wedding cake.

The cutting of the cake.

Feeding a young guest.

The table.

A Kandyan Wedding ceremony (continued), Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Singing the 'Jayamangala Gatha'

The singers receiving gifts from the Bridegroom.

The happy couple.

Scenes from a Kandyan wedding ceremony, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The bridegroom giving a present to the father of the bride.

Stepping down from the 'Poruwa' at the auspicious time.

The simultaneous breaking of a coconut.

The coconut broken into equal parts signifying an auspicious start to the marriage.

Some of the flowers in bloom at the 'Amaya Hills Hotel' Dangolla, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

'Cannas'

Orchids

Fairy Bells

Gangaramaya Raja Maha Vihara, Lewalla, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

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Bordering 'Udawaththekale' on the road to Lewalla this historic temple has a few old buildings and temple paintings of the 'Kandyan Era' of Sri Lankan history.

The Dalada Maligawa environs, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The 'Queens bath' bordering the Kandy lake across the road.. 

The promenade bordering the Kandy Lake.

The Queens bath was the building where the female members of the royal household of the Kandyan Kings went for bathing. It housed a library but is now used as a Police Station.

Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka, scenes.

The Audience Hall.

Incense-stick burners.

Smoke from burning incense-sticks.

Entrance and exit stairways.

The average worshipper at the Maligawa does not pause to see these sights. If you linger you will see beauty at every turn.

Artifacts inside the 'Dalada Maligawa', Kandy, Sri Lanka.

A stylized female

A mythical bird

The 'inverted lotus' design on a bell-tower.

Inside the 'Dhana Saalawa' where alms are given to the priests

The 'Inverted Lotus' motif inside the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The 'Inverted Lotus' motif on pillars, old and new, is found in profusion inside the Dalada Maligawa.

Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Crowd of white-clad devotees outside the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy.

Looking out from the Maligawa

The first picture shows the garden in the former Governors Residence in the distance. Now it is called the President's residence. The second picture was taken from a balcony on the first floor looking towards the Kandy Lake. You can see the Queen's bath now converted to a Police Station.

Embakka Dewala, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Notice-board at the entrance to the Dewala

An 'Ambalama' - resting hall on the way to Embekka Dewala.

Resting places for wayfarers called 'Ambalama' in Sihalese from the Tamil word 'Ambalam' was a feature of life in old Sri Lanka. Journey by foot or bullock cart needed these places where pilgrims could rest, sleep or have their meals.

Artifacts at Embekka Dewala, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Decorated wooden rafters

A painting of a stylized female

Wood-work, Embekka Dewala, Kandy, Sri Lanka

A Goddess

Floral design

A floral design

Knots

Wood-work, Embekka Dewala, Kandy, Sri Lanka

A floral design

A female dancer

Woman supporting a load

A warrior with shield and sword

Decorated wooden pillars, Embekka Dewala, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

A cock-bird

The 'inverted lotus' design on the top of the pillar.

Embekka Dewala, Kandy, Sri Lanka, wood-work, 16th Century PE

A deer and an elephant

A mythical bird

Another mythical bird

The wrestlers

See the variety in themes depicted.