'Dambakola Patuna', Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

The sea route taken by the sacred Bo Sapling.

A representation of the scene of reception of the sacred Bo Sapling.

A Bo tree in the premises

A 'Dolos Mahe' (twelve month) Pahane in the premises.

A statue of Sanghamiththa Theri who accompanied the Bo Sapling.

The site where the Sacred Bo Sapling taken from the Sacred Bo Tree at Buddha Gaya was brought ashore in Sri Lanka was known as 'Dambakolu Patuna'.

Video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWosEFET4YA

'Keerimalai', Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

'Mandapam' near the tank

The fresh-water tank for bathing

A 'Mandapam' near the sea-shore.

The temple

Video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1Zgva57klE

Scenes from Kurikaaduvaan to Pannai, Sri Lanka.

Fence from Palmyra stem and leaves

A Palmyra grove

Collecting water

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'

A scene at the entrance to the temple

A picture depicting Lord Buddha preaching to the assembled Nagas.

The site of a historic visit of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka, according to the ancient Pali chronicles, it is now flooded with pilgrims from the south of the Island.