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A important full moon poya day of Buddhists – ‘ Poson ‘ – By Malsha – eLanka Poson Poya Day is an important religious holiday celebrated in Sri Lanka. It commemorates the arrival of Buddhism to the country in the 3rd century BC. Poson Poya is observed on the full moon day in the month of Poson (June), according to the lunar calendar followed in Sri Lanka. On this day, Buddhists in Sri Lanka engage in various religious activities to honor the introduction of Buddhism to the country. One of the significant events associated with Poson Poya is the arrival of Arahat Mahinda, the son of Emperor Ashoka, to Sri Lanka. Arahat Mahinda is believed to have introduced Buddhism to the island by converting King Devanampiya Tissa and his subjects. During Poson Poya, Buddhists visit temples and engage in religious rituals. Many people also participate in pilgrimages to important Buddhist ...

Jun 3, 2023 Posted by In Articles, Malsha Madhuhansi Tagged , , , , ,
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Historical and religious site located in Sri Lanka ‘ Mihintale ‘ – By Malsha – eLanka Mihintale is a significant historical and religious site located in Sri Lanka. It is situated approximately 12 kilometers east of the city of Anuradhapura, which was once the ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Mihintale holds immense importance for Buddhists as it is believed to be the place where Buddhism was introduced to the island nation. According to legend, in 247 BCE, King Devanampiyatissa of Sri Lanka encountered the Buddhist monk Mahinda on Mihintale Mountain. Mahinda was the son of Emperor Ashoka of India, who played a pivotal role in spreading Buddhism across the region. It is said that during their meeting, Mahinda initiated King Devanampiyatissa and his followers into the Buddhist faith, marking the formal introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Today, Mihintale is a popular pilgrimage site for Buddhists and attracts tourists from ...

May 30, 2023 Posted by In Articles, Malsha Madhuhansi Tagged
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Kaleidoscope with Savithri Rodrigo 157 11 05 2023 Here’s the exciting line up (plus more) of what we have for you today: From a vantage point of Mihintale’s Kalu Diya Pokuna, we have some Marmite & toast with the King,  chat about policy matters & the world’s first Ramsar wetland capital, shriek like seagulls, mow lawns like sheep, trace the foreignness of The Foreigners, introduce a Michelin Star Chef, check out some market news & lots more. Hope you enjoy the show. Have a great weekend ahead Savithri Youtube – Kaleidoscope with Savithri Rodrigo Facebook – Kaleidoscope with Savithri Rodrigo INSTAGRAM – @kaleidoscopeweek LinkedIn – Kaleidoscope with Savithri Rodrigo ...

May 12, 2023 Posted by In Articles, Savithri Rodrigo Tagged , , ,
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ANCIENT SRI LANKAN ENGINEERS AND ARTISANS – By Dr Tilak . S Fernando Ceylon Today on 29 December 2022 This article is based on our forefathers, excellent engineers and artisans with exceptional skills. How many of our present generation is conversant with Sri Lanka engineers’ activities in the bygone years who have amazed the whole world? During the remarkable Parakramabahu reign, the construction of the tallest buildings commenced. King Mahasen also did the most significant structures. The world’s first hospital was constructed during BC 367- 437 during King Pandukabhaya’s reign. No wonder foreigners became dumbstruck when these were built between the second and fourth centuries using metal veins. Sri Lankan ancestors created Palaces following the ancient masterpieces of Ramayana during the Ravana epoch. During the Gampola era, Sri Lankan forefathers produced the world’s first pair of spectacles, a unique design known as ‘ Diyatrippu.’ Wood carving craft came up during ...

Dec 30, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Tilak S Fernando Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Mihintale ancient Hospital – the oldest in the world? – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Established by King Sena II (853-887 AC) at *Mihintale around 853 A.D., the ancient hospital in the location is considered as the oldest in the world, although, consulting and healing have taken place in the location centuries before. According to inscriptions, Ayurvedic medicine has been practiced at Mihintale and the hospital has been maintained by Buddhist monks. The layout of the building (of the hospital) and discovery of a medical trough are also evidence that a hospital had existed at the site. The oldest archeological evidence of a hospital in Sri Lanka is within the ruins of Mihintale. The identification was based on a 10th century inscription at the site. According to the plan of the hospital, there had been 31 rooms and these rooms were arranged on a high platform. The consulting room, rooms for hot ...

Dec 22, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Kaludiya Pokuna: Convergence of History, Archaeology and Panorama – By Arundathie Abeysinghe image Source : researchgate Sri Lanka is bestowed with religious, historical and archaeological sites, some of which are in ruins, at present. *Mihintale, considered as the “Cradle of Buddhism” is a location where one of the most significant events in Sri Lanka’s history, the meeting between Arhat Mahinda (son of Emperor Asoka of India) and King Devanampiyatissa (306 BC – 266 BC) took place. Hence, Buddhism in Sri Lanka is inextricably linked to Mihintale. Situated off the beaten track and rarely visited by the majority of tourists, Kaludiya Pokuna (meaning Black Water Pond – “kalu” meaning black, “diya” meaning water and “pokuna” meaning pond) is a breathtaking site located at the foot of the western slopes of Mihintale. It is the largest among ponds in Mihintale. Most scholars are of the view that Kaludiya Pokuna may be the ...

Dec 8, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged , , , , , , , ,
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Mahakanadarawa Stone Bridge – skilled craftsmanship of yesteryear – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Centuries ago, Sri Lankans had well-planned infrastructure, irrigation systems including well-constructed tanks supplying water for agricultural purposes, architectural marvels such as cave temples, dagobas (stupas), well-designed palaces, meditation houses, audience halls and a superior road network as well as bridges… During the early period of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, the main administrative centers were *Anuradhapura and Magama in *Ruhuna with a highway linking these two cities. A road network also connected Anuradhapura with Jambukolapattana (Dambakola Patuna) in the Jaffna Peninsula, Mathota or Mahatitta (also known as Manthai) near Mannar and *Trincomalee (known as Gokanna). These three ports served as the most significant trade centers. Anuradhapura-Dambakolapatuna Road was via the villages of Rambeva, Omanthai, Pavatkulam and Vavunikulam. There were several stone bridges including those in close proximity to Anuradhapura over the Malwathu Oya (“Oya” meaning stream in Sinhala) and another ...

Aug 31, 2022 Posted by In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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  “SRI LANKA MY ISLAND OF DREAMS” – By Des Kelly It is true, of every Country in the World. Certain areas of Planet Earth are astoundingly beautiful to the eyes of any beholder. Sir Richard Attenborough happens to be one of the very few, lucky enough to travel around, “doing his thing” to capture most of the scenic beauty for his very exciting  “Television-Specials” that are repeated over and over again, simply because they are immensely popular.            This particular “story”, together with the magnificent photography of “Sri Lanka, my Island of dreams”(another Original Music Composition of mine, as well) brings our readers, wherever they may be, some precious memories of a Country so tiny, yet, reputed to be a copy of the mythical “Garden of Eden”, because it’s minute twenty six and a half thousand square miles, still possesses ALL of the “beauty-spots” available ...

Aug 30, 2019 Posted by In Articles, DESMOND KELLY Tagged , , , Comments 0
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