Colour, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Wild flowers, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Clay figures of a threshing site, Buthpitiya, Sri Lanka.

On the road from Wathurugama to Gampaha, I saw these life-like clay figures of a threshing floor, in the centre of a paddy field.

Monkeys at a plant nursery, Meepe, Sri Lanka.

'Chedil Kaavady' (Fish-hook Kaavady), Avissawala, Sri Lanka.

In this type of 'Kaavady' fish hooks are inserted to the skin of the back and held together by a strong rope. The ;Kaavady' dancer carried a decorated 'Kaavady' - 'Kaavu+Thady' T - and danced his way on the streets preceding the 'Ther', in a 'Ther' festival.

Sights on the pavement during the 'Ther' festival, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

'Hot Ulundhu and Masaala vadai' for sale on the pavement.

Brass-ware for sale on the pavement.

'Angappradadshanai' - rolling on the ground following a 'Ther', Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Another act of 'Nerthikkadan' T ('fulfilling a vow to the Diety'}. Here the 'Saiva' devotting is following the 'Ther' procession, rolling on the ground. Acts of self-inflicted torture are part of the tradition of almost all the great religions of the world. Vow of 'Silence', going hungry are the mildest of these acts.