Bambarakanda Falls

 

Bambarakanda Falls

Bambarakanda Falls is the tallest waterfall of Sri Lanka situated in Haldummulla. In height it's about 263 metres. The waters fall down from a high rock on toothers and adding beauty to this fall. Water comes from a tributary from Horton Plains. From there it goes to Samanala Weva, meaning the Lake of butterflies and finaly falls to Walawe River. Travelling to this place is not easy as to the other falls of Sri Lanka. This fall is far away from the main road and the turning point is Kalupahana Junction (160 kms from Colombo) and is the closest main road to fall. The distance between Kalupahana and the waterfall is about 5 kms. This 5 Kms is a narrow road and a light vehicle can take you closer to the fall.

Colombo Terminus railway station

Colombo Terminus Station was the primary railway station in Colombo, Sri Lanka in the nineteenth century. It was retired from service at the beginning of the twentieth century and replaced by Maradana Station. The preserved building is now home to the National Railway Museum.

Colombo Terminus Station was opened in 1865 to serve all trains at Colombo.

In 1906, a project was launched to reorganise the railway within the Colombo area. Colombo Terminus Station was closed and replaced by the new Maradana Station.

Today  the station is the site of the National Railway Museum

Terminus Station was originally the end of the Main Line. The construction of the Coast Line towards Slave Island turned the Terminus Station into a quarter-mile-long siding, making operation inconvenient.

Instead of a clock, a sundial was originally used to tell the time. This would have avoided the cost of installing a mechanically-operated clock

Homemade Marshmallows

 When it comes to marshmallows, I’ve been spoiled. I’ve enjoyed PERFECT homemade marshmallows since I was little, because my grandmother was an absolute pro at making them. She passed on the obsession to me, and I’ve been fluffing ’em up for as long as I can remember

Ingredients

Makes 64 marshmallows

Vegetable oil for brushing pan

About 1 cup confectioners' sugar for coating pan and marshmallows

3 (1/4-ounce) envelopes powdered unflavored gelatin

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Special equipment:

Pastry brush; 1 (9-inch) square baking pan; small, fine-mesh sieve; 4 1/2-quart or larger stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; candy thermomete

Step 1

Brush the bottom and sides of a 9-inch square baking pan with vegetable oil. Using a small, fine-mesh sieve, dust the pan generously with confectioners' sugar, knocking out any excess.

Step 2

Put 1/2 cup water in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Sprinkle the gelatin into the bowl and stir briefly to make sure all the gelatin is in contact with water. Let soften while you make the sugar syrup.

Step 3

In a heavy 3- to 4-quart saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water. Place over moderate heat and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Put a candy thermometer into the boiling sugar syrup and continue boiling (the mixture may foam up, so turn the heat down slightly if necessary), without stirring, until the thermometer registers 240°F (soft-ball stage). Remove the saucepan from the heat and let stand briefly until the bubbles dissipate slightly

Step 4

With the mixer on low speed, pour the hot sugar syrup into the softened gelatin in a thin stream down the side of the bowl. Gradually increase the mixer speed to high and beat until the marshmallow is very thick and forms a thick ribbon when the whisk is lifted, about 5 minutes. Beat in the vanilla.

Step 5

Scrape the marshmallow into the prepared pan (it will be very sticky) and use wet fingertips to spread it evenly and smooth the top. Let stand, uncovered at room temperature, until the surface is no longer sticky and you can gently pull the marshmallow away from the sides of the pan with your fingertips, at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 6

Dust a cutting board with confectioners' sugar. Use a rubber spatula to pull the sides of the marshmallow from the edge of the pan (use the spatula to loosen the marshmallow from the bottom of the pan if necessary) and invert onto the cutting board. Dust the top with confectioners' sugar. Brush a long thin knife or a chef's knife with vegetable oil and dust with confectioners' sugar to prevent sticking; continue dusting the knife as necessary. Cut lengthwise into 8 strips, then crosswise into eighths, to form a total of 64 squares. (For larger marshmallows, cut lengthwise into 6 strips, then crosswise into sixths, to form a total of 36 squares.) Coat marshmallows, one at a time, in confectioners' sugar, using a pastry brush to brush off any excess. DO AHEAD: Marshmallows can be stored, layered between sheets of wax paper or parchment in an airtight container in a dry place at cool room temperature, for 1 month.

Kuttam Pokuna

 One of the best specimen of bathing tanks or pools in ancient Sri Lanka is the pair of pools known as Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds/Pools). The said pair of pools were built by the Sinhalese in the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura. These are considered one of the significant achievements in the field of hydrological engineering and outstanding architectural and artistic creations of the ancient Sinhalese.

A garden was landscaped which separates the two ponds which long is 18.5 feet (5.6 m). The larger pool of the two is 132 feet (40 m) by 51 feet (16 m), while the smaller pool is 91 feet (28 m) by 51 feet (16 m). The depths of the two pools is 14 feet (4.3 m) and 18 feet (5.5 m) for the smaller pool and the larger pool respectively.

The faces of the pools were cut granite slabs which includes the bottom and the sides of the pool. A wall was also built around the pool which encloses the compound. Flights of steps are seen on both ends of the pool decorated with punkalas, or pots of abundance and scroll design. Embankments were constructed to enable monks to bathe using pots or other utensils. Water to the pools were transferred through underground ducts and filtered before flowing to the pool and in a similar fashion the water was emptied.

Dr. Senarath Paranavithana was actively involved in the restoration of the ponds, in which small figures of fish, a conch, a crab and a dancing woman were found in the bottom

Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya

 

Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya

Muthiyangana Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient Buddhist temple located in the middle of Badulla town in the Badulla District of Uva Province in Sri LankaBuddhists

 Believe that this site has been visited by Gautama Buddha, and it is regarded as one of the Solosmasthana, the 16 sacred places in the country. On the 8th year after attaining the Enlightenment, the Buddha made his 3rd visit to Kelaniya on the invitation by a king of Naga people named Maniakkitha. During this visit, a local chieftain named Indaka invited Buddha to visit his place in Badulla. At the end of sermons made by Buddha there, Indaka had wanted something to worship in memory of Buddha's visit. The Buddha is said to have given him a few of his hairs and a few drops of sweat that turned into pearls (mukthaka). Indaka had enshrined these sacred hair and pearls in a stupa, believed to be the stupa here.  Indaka, the chieftain of then Deva people is now regarded as a deity, reigning the Namunukula mountain range and Muthiyangana Raja Maha Viharaya. 

This site is not cited in well known historical chronicles such as Mahavamsa, Bodhi Vamsa or Dhātuvansa but mentioned in the Samantapasadika which is older than the former documentaries. It states, "The Lord Buddha visited this island thrice. Third time He arrived with 500 monks. Being entered into Nirodha Samapatti (attainment of ceasing of feeling and perception)  He stayed here...", turning the site into most sacred religious one for the Buddhists. This is also regarded as one of 32 Buddhist religious sites wherein the saplings bred from Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi have been planted.

TRADITIONAL HAND CRAFT IN SRI LANKA

TRADITIONAL HAND CRAFT IN SRI LANKA

 Sri Lanka has a proud heritage of arts and crafts and you’ll find a distinctive memento to take home among the wide range of items for sale in Colombo. Popular handicrafts include gold and silver jewellery set with gems, wooden masks, intricate lace-work, lacquerwork and ceramics.

The full-range of handicrafts is available in the many stores in and around the capital, but you can also see the work that goes into creating them as you travel around the country – watch deft hands weaving intricate lace patterns in towns around the south-western coast or see the pottery wheels in action at the small village of Molagoda in the central provinces.

Masks

One of the most popular and ancient acts is the 18 Sanni that are thought to represent diseases or ailments caused by yakkas (devils). Eighteen masks carved to represent the torment felt through these deceases are worn by an exorcist and a tovil, devil dance, is performed. Other popular mask dances or dramas are Kolam and Raksha, one a comedic performance and the other masks mainly used in festivals and processions. 

Ambalangoda is known to be the heart of mask carving with many shops dotting the road side as you drive along this coastal town. If you happen to pop into one of the stores, you will be able to see how these masks are carved and painted with brilliant colours and take one along as well.

Handloom

Long ago handloom was reserved exclusively for the royalty and the renowned in the country and special villages were designated to practice the craft. However, now Handloom is generally found around the island as a self-employed or entrepreneurial activity where this skill which has been passed down from generation to generation has been revived and practiced.

Among handloom products in Sri Lanka are, curtains, cushion overs and other household decorative items, saris and garments as well as everyday items such as books and bags.

Handwoven fabrics, with its vibrant colours and simple or elaborate patterns have become a favourite among shoppers.

Making of
traditional drums 

The traditional drums or Bera, is undoubtedly part of the Sri Lankan culture. The special skill and craftsmanship required for the making of these drums are possessed by a numbered few—communities across Kurunegala and Hodiyadeniya in the Kandy district. The body of the drum is fashioned mostly out of Jack tree, and the skin is made out of animal hide. After long hours of divided work within each group, the keen and detail oriented drum makers present beautifully shaped and designed drums with the right sound.

Drum making is also largely practiced in Hikkaduwa located in the Southern region of Sri Lanka.

TRADITIONAL CRAFT OF POTTERY MARKING IN SRI LANKA

 TRADITIONAL CRAFT OF POTTERY MARKING IN SRI LANKA

The pottery of Sri Lanka has a very long history. There are pieces of evidence about the history of pottery in Sri Lanka that goes back to the second century BC. It has become unbroken tradition that was passed from one generation to other. There is evidence from the archeological excavations at the Anuradhapura Gedige and Kandarodai in Jaffna that has found pottery items in the early stage of history in Sri Lanka.,  the archeolo gical excavations done near the Thissamaharamaya found many pottery items dated back to second BC. Some of them were imported from various places in the world. That proves pottery items were one of the main good which was traded in international trading in ancient Sri Lanka.

The techniques that are used by most potters have not been changed for a long time. Materials are prepared by thoroughly mixing red clay and black clay. Then the mixture is heaped and kept aside for about a month for seasoning. Then the broken heap is sliced by using a sliver of bamboo. The purpose of this is to remove dust and dirt. Then it is kneaded and trample with adding adequate water. Then it is kept for another day.

The traditional potters' wheel is called 'Sakaporuwa' (සක පෝරුව). It is a wheel around 2.5 feet in diameter. it is flexible to rotate and fixed firmly to the ground. The traditional wheel was turned by the potters' wife or a child while the potter was making the pot. But currently, most of the potters' wheels are driven by electric motors. While the wheel is turning potters puts a ball of clay at the center of the wheel and moulds the pot with both hands. He makes the shape and the mouth of the pot using the wheel. Then the pot is cut and taken out by using a small spoke. The ring of the pot is made using a piece of cloth or rubber tubing. Then the shaping and trimming are done. The bottom of the pot is not finished yet. Before that, the pot is kept for another day to dry. Then the potter takes the pot to his left hand and 'Walantalana Lalla' (වලං තලන ලෑල්ල) or 'Mati Aluwa' (මැටි අලුව) to his right hand which is a bat-shaped wooden tool. Then he holds a round stone inside the pot near the bottom and shapes the bottom by patting it with the Walantalana Lalla. Then the pot is rubbed smoothly and any decoration is added.

The kiln is used to burn pots to the required temperature. The Kiln is a square-shaped enclosure that is built to stack pots and burn. The firing is done by the potter himself. The materials that commonly available are used as fuel for firing. The most common fuel materials are coconut husks and coconut woods. There are few opens in the kiln to escape the smoke. Pots are stacked inside the kiln and first, it is smoked for around two days. This process is called 'Dun gahanawa' (දුං ගහනවා). Then gradually the temperature is increased and the pots are burnt for another one day. This needs the experience to make sure pots are burnt adequately. Otherwise many pots break when they are taken out from the kiln. After that, it is kept to reduce the temperature dramatically for about two days. Then the kiln is broken and the pots are taken out.

This is the traditional process of making a pot. There are some new techniques added. But still, most of the potters make their pots in a traditional way in Sri Lanka.