Vallai, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

Black-winged Stilt, Vallai

Wild dog eating carcass

Crows on the iron supports used in cremation at the cemetery.

Fisherman collecting his catch in an improvised float from a rubber tube.

A steady breeze blows over the large expanse of water. The cemetery at Vallai is also the dumping ground for carcasses of slaughtered animals and wild dogs are attracted to the site. The bridge at Vallai is temporary but handles traffic quite well. The cemetery and its environs has a large collection of birds of varying hues.

Puththur to Vallai, Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Puththur to Aavarankaal

Bird life close to the Vallai cemetery

Bird-life at Vallai - click on web-link below:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKVx-c9MiqE&list=UU1dqepitfAJwrQWLD-gZ3NA&index=12

Manipay to Puththur via Kopay, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

Road to Kopay from Manipay

Banana plantation

Somaskanda College, Puththur

The area covered is famous for its red fertile soil. Careful nurturing of the soil with water drawn from underground cisterns has built a thriving agricultural community here. Organic farming with harvested leaves buried under the soil and using cow-dung as manure was the way of life till urea and allied artificial fertilizer came on the scene.

To watch Video of area covered click on web-link below:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYaXylgJVvk&list=UU1dqepitfAJwrQWLD-gZ3NA&index=12

Keerimalai, Sri Lanka.

The sea-shore

The fresh-water bathing pool

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The temple being renovated

According to legend the mongoose shaped face of a Chola Princess was miraculously cured by bathing in this pool centuries ago. There is a temple dedicated to this site. Keeri in Tamil means mongoose and malai means hillock. An annual festival is held in this temple and draws a large crowd of pilgrims from ancient times. A new temple is being built close to the old site of the temple.

'Dambakola Patuna', Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

'Dambakola Patuna', Jaffna, Sri Lanka.

The sea route taken by the Ven.Theri Sangahamittha.

An artists depiction of the landing

A tent made by the Sri Lankan Navy in the premises using the different types of knots made in sailing practice.

The arrival of the Sacred Bo Sapling taken from the Sacred Bo tree at Buddha Gaya in present day Bihar in India was at a site named 'Dambakola Patuna' in Northern Sri Lanka, about three Kilometers from Keerimalai. The site of landing is commemorated by this site which has a Bo Tree, A Dagoba and Shrine rooms. There is no resident Monk and the site is maintained in excellent condition by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAwGb4HQ_KY&list=UU1dqepitfAJwrQWLD-gZ3NA&index=24

Kaithdy to Kopay, Sri Lanka.

The short-cut from Kaithdy Junction on the A9 Highway to Manipay takes this route by passing the Jaffna town. The road is arrow straight and is being upgraded.