Road to Tissa from Katharagama, Sri Lanka.

Katharagama - Kathirkaamam to Vedisitikandha - Kathiramalai, Sri Lanka.

Katharagama - Kathirkaamam, Sri Lanka.

Scenes at the Lord Murugan temple, Katharagama - Kathirkaamam, Sri Lanka.

Kirivehara, Katharagama, Sri Lanka.

The Dagoba, Kirivihare, Katharagama, Sri Lanka.

Dating back to the Second Century BC, this Dagoba was in ruins and was renovated over the last fifty years. It stands tall and beautiful especially on a full-moon - 'Poya' night.

Peacock, Katharagama, Srilanka.

A Peacock seen in one of the by lanes at Katharagama, Srilanka. They are considered sacred and roam free in this area of Srilanka. Click on link below:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0XgArhbto0

Trinkets for sale, Katharagama

The devotees who come to Katharagama are greeted by a host of small shops selling trinkets. I took this picture inside one of the shops at night.

Fruits for 'Puja'

A  roadside sales point for sale of fruits to make a 'Puja vattiya', for offering to the Gods at the Katharagama shrine. This was on the Tissa - Katharagama road.

Buffaloes foraging

Domesticated buffaloes range all over the countryside in Sri Lanka, foraging. They are usually accompanied by a male. They are steered towards their favorite mud patch where they dip down and watch the world go by. When you meet them on the road it is best to give them right-of-way for if they get restive they can be dangerous. I took this picture in a by-lane in Katharagama, Sri Lanka

A villager's hut on the road to Katharagama

A very eco-friendly house built in the traditional style using wood and mud. The roof is made of coconut fronds. This was the traditional building style over the last few millenia. Polythene on the roof is a recent introduction. It is called a 'varichchi' house in Sinhalese.