Return from 'Nagadipa', 'Nainathivu', Sri Lanka.

'Nagapooshani Amman' temple, 'Nainathivu' - 'Nagadipa', Sri Lanka.

The renovated 'Gopuram' after the 'Kumbaapishekam'

The outer wall of the temple

The shoreline

'Gram-sellers' on the road leading to the jetty

This temple has a history going back to antiquity. The presence of the legendary Naga tribes in the North of Sri Lanka is very much evident even today. This temple devoted to a Naga Goddess, place names like 'Naagar Kovil' and surnames like Nagalingam, Nagamma, Nagamuththu, Nagamony etc is a present day reality.

Scenes at 'Nagadipa', Sri Lanka.

The prescribed order of visit and worship on entering a Buddhist temple in the Theravada tradition:-

First the 'Chaitya' has to be worshiped because it contains the holy relics.

Next the 'Bodhi tree' because it reminds one of the Bodhi tree under which the 'Sakyamuni' attained Buddhahood.

Thirdly the statue of the Lord Buddha called with the honoric title the 'Pilimahan Vahanse', reminding one of the Lord Buddha as seen after His Enlightenment.

The 'Chaitya' - 'Saaririka'

The 'Bodhiya' - 'Paaribhogika'

The 'Pilimahan Vahanse' - 'Uddhesika'

On the road to Nagadipa - Nainathivu, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

One of the many causeways

The queue of pilgrims waiting to board the ferry at Kurikaadduvaan.

Video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjSPP5riDrs