Full Moon Day at Ramboda Sri Baktha Hanuman temple

Flower petals are sprinkled and the Hanuman idol is welcomed at the main entrance of the temple - Read & See More

Arulmigu Sri Muneeswarar Kaaliyambaal in Wolfendhal, Colombo 13

Arulmigu Sri Muneeswarar Kaaliyambaal in Wolfendhal, Colombo 13, [Read See More]

Day in the life of a garland maker ~ on Deepavali

Deepavali- Festival of Lights was celebrated by Hindus around the world on November 8th 2007: [More Pictures]

Munneswaram Sivan temple, Chilaw

Moola Vinayagar at the main entrance of Munneswaram Sivan temple in Chilaw

"He has sweetly graced me, with joyous compassion" - Auvaiyar - Lady legend amidst Sidhars - More Pictures ~ SweetGrace.org

Catwalk @ ODEL

ODEL, Sri Lanka's only department store has unveiled its latest collection for the season.A catwalk came alive on August 12 th 2007, unveiling wide range of formal and causal wear.

ODEL’s latest collection of clothes was worn by eight models with appropriate accessories. [See More]

“Waves of Change; Waves of Hope” - Asia Pacific Conference on HIV/AIDs set to begin in Sri Lanka

The 8th ICAAP (International Congress on AIDS in Asia and Pacific) will be held in Sri Lanka from August 19t to 23 rd 2007. There will be 2,000 delegates from 40 countries participating in the international conference. “Waves of Change; Waves of Hope” is this year’s theme. There are many events organized to coincide with the main conference.

A media briefing about the upcoming 8th ICAAP was held in Colombo on Thursday August 16th, announcing details of the 5 day conference. [Read More]

Colombo Aathi Parashakthi Mandram observes “Aadi Pooram”

“Aadi Pooram” fell on August 15th 2007, which was a special day for Goddess. It’s believed that, the Goddess attained puberty on this day. The special day was celebrated by Hindu devotees in Colombo by carrying milk pots from one temple to another; temples and neighbourhoods were filled with various religious ceremonies. Carrying of milk pots was a telling ceremony in the city amidst the peak hours of the morning that began at day beak. There were 340 women carrying pots of milk for the Goddess on her special day. [Read & See more]

Milk Pots Festival at Sri Rajarajeshwari Ammal temple, Vivekananda Hill

Goddess worship is considered prosperous. Temples are awash with devotees especially on Tuesdays to worship the Goddess.

The annual festival of Paal Kudam (milk pots) of the Sri Rajarajeshwari Ammal temple in Vivekananda Hill, Colombo 13 was held in the morning on August 14th 2007. About one hundred devotees carried milk pots on their head and paraded through Vivekanada Hill, Jampettah Street, New Chetty Street and Barber Street. [Read & See More]

Poojas offered for forefathers on the auspicious day

Aadi Amavasai, a day sacred to obsequies for the manes. This special day is dedicated to our forefathers, which is observed annually during the Tamil month of July. The new moon in the Tamil month of Aadi is observed with special prayers, poojas and offering of food to the forefathers. Amavasai is a new moon begins its new cycle. [Read & See More]

Sri Lanka Journalists in Glittering Awards Ceremony

The much awaited annual awards ceremony for the journalists in Sri Lanka got under way glamorously last night. Journalism Awards for Excellence 2006 was held at the BMICH on August 7 th 2007.

There have been more than 450 applicants for the awards this year. Journalism Awards for Excellence 2006 was organized by the editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Press Institute. The awards were selected by a panel of judges comprised of experienced journalists.
[Read & See More]

Colombo Hindu Temple Observes Transition of Saturn

The leader of the nine planets is Sun. He has two wives-Sayadevi and Ushadevi respectively. Lord Saneeswaran, is also known as Sayaputhran, (son of Saya).

It is said that “Saniyai pol kodupaarum illai; Saniyai pol kedupaarum illai” (there is nobody who will give at the same time obstruct like Saneeswaran).

The Saturn (Saneeswaran) moves his house every thirty months. He moved from Magara Rasi to Simma Rasi on August 5th 2007 at 12.34 pm according to Vaakkiya Panchaangam (almanac).

Special poojas and Yagams (vedic fire) have been orgainsed on the eve of the “Sani Peyarchchi”. A festival of Sani Peyarchchi was celebrated on August 5 th 2007. [Read & See More]

Knives maker in Puttlam

Sounds of banging on iron in a small place, from where Sampath Perera makes knives of different shapes fills the surroundings of this idyllic roadside on Colombo Road, in Puttlam.
[Read & See More]

Festival of Paal Kudam (Milk Pots) and Kaavadi

Festival of Paal Kudam (Milk Pots) and Kaavadi of the Arulmigu Sri Sivasubramaniya Swamy Temple in Ginthupitty was held on July 29 th 2007 in the morning. Six hundred devotees have fulfilled their vows by carrying Paal Kudam (Milk Pots) on their heads, and Kaavadi on their shoulders. The festival was spectacular. [Read & See More]

Colourful ‘Vel’ Festival for Lord Murugan in Colombo

“Aadi”- The month of Festivals. The annual Aadi Vel festival of Arulmigu Sri Sivasubramaniya Swamy temple was held on July 30 th 2007. The temple is decorated with fresh banana trees with bunches of bananas, “Thoranam” (young coconut leaves are woven together) and sugar cane leaves. All the statues at the temple are specially and beautifully decorated with fresh flowers, and silk for the festival. [More Pictures]

Festival time in Udappu

Udappu - Rukmani Sathyapama Sametha Sri Paarthasaarathy Thiraupathathevi Devasthanam's first day of annual festival began with flag hoisting, on July 25 th 2007 and ended in the night with fire walking. [Read & See More]

Celebrating Tamil Month of Aadi

Aadi is the fourth month according to the Tamil Almanac. July 17th 2007 - the first day of the month of Aadi – July, according to the Tamil Almanac. [read & see More]

Beyond the Tourists’ Eye - Maldivian Art Exhibition in Colombo

Beyond the Tourists’ Eye - Issues of Identity in Maldivian Art was ceremonially inaugurated by Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane, Minister of Cultural Affairs on June 26th 2007, the exhibition will remain open until June 29 th 2007.

The viewing hours are from 10am to 4pm. The participating artists are Ablow Arif, Afzal Shafiu Hassan, Mohamed Azzam, Nina Mohamed Manik, Mariyam Naeema Omar and Fathmath Zuhura. There are 28 paintings and installations displayed: [Read & See More]

The Bridgeteen Walk 2007: “Walk A Mile, Build A Smile”

St. Bridget’s Convent - Gently and Firmly - is the motto of the school.

It was started on February 1st 1902.The school has celebrated it’s centenary on February 1 st 2002. It started with 14 students 105 years ago, and now schooling more than 1,000 students.

St. Bridget’s Convent has produced many leaders and torchbearers in government, business, the professions, sports and the arts, serving in several communities in Sri Lanka and around the globe; world’s first Woman Prime Minister Late Mrs. Srimavo Bandaranaike and former President of Sri Lanka Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, to name a few. [Read & See More]

Garland Maker - Bambalapitty

There are many garland makers along the Galle Road in Bambalapitty near the Hindu temples: More Pictures

Candle Light Vigil to commemorate the Global AIDS Week of Action

Positive Hopes Alliance and Three Wheel Drivers’ Collective against the spread of HIV and AIDS, two recently formed organizations supported by Action Aid to combat stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV and AIDS in Sri Lanka, celebrated the candlelight ceremony to commemorate the Global Aids Week of Action on June 01 st 2007 at the welfare community centre at Anderson Flats, Colombo 05. Several activists participated at the vigil held at dusk: Read & see more

Batticaloa, Thaandavanveli Kannaki Temple

Kannaki Amman festival was celebrated in Batticaloa from May 25th to June 01st 2007. Amman devotees flocked to the Kannakai Amman temple to worship and get her blessings: More Pictures

In Season: Lobsters, Jumbo Prawns & Crabs

Anura Nandana Silva (42) has been a fish monger for more than 20 years: More Pictures

Aftermath of Colombo wet weather

Two days of thunder showers forced several thousands to seek refuge in schools and temples.121,375 people are homeless,15 died,14 injured, 280 houses are completely destroyed,1,266 houses are slightly damaged according to the National Disaster Management Centre in Colombo: More Pictures

In Pictures: Vesak in and around Colombo

Vesak marks birth, enlightenment , death and attaining nirvana of Lord Buddha 2501 years ago: More Pictures

Festival of Gold

"Akshaya Tritiya", the third day of the new moon, It is considered one of the most sacred days of the year. The word `Akshaya' means that which never diminishes: More Pictures

Celebrating ‘Sarvasiththu Varusha’–New Year

A female devotee places Kumkumam on another female's forehead and wished her good luck: More Pictures

Ushering in the New Year

"Sarvasiththu Varusha": More Pictures

Annai Velankanni Church in Colombo 13

Annai Velankanni Church in Colombo 13

Sign in Tamil Says: If Jesus is Peace, the peace of Christmas is Christ’s own peace. And Christ has drawn a clear distinction between his peace and that of the world:

“My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, but my peace I give unto you”(John.14: 27).

The Peace that Jesus offers is drawn out of his self-emptying (kenosis), a love poured on human race right from his incarnation to crucifixion. [Courtesy: The Indian Catholic]

Velankanni Church, Tamil Nadu

Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar ~ Sapparam

Sapparam in procession on outer route of the temple at night: More Pictures

The animal pilgrimage

The annual festival of Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam: More Pictures

Kandaiahpillai Parameskumar, Garland Maker

Garland Maker, Munneswaram: More Pictures

Chariot day at Colombo Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar

Heap of coconuts is kept to be smashing; Ponnambalawaneswarar Temple chariot day - More Pictures

"Oodaru"- Media Women's Organization

"Oodaru"- Media Women's Organization celebrated International Women's Day on March 10th 2007 at Colombo Tamil Sangam in Wellawatte: More Pictures

Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana - Carnatic Music Festival

Carnatic Music Festival to celebrate the genius of Sri Thyagarajah was held at the Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo on January 19th 2007 at dusk. Thyagaraja Aradhana was held for the first time in Sri Lanka: More Pictures

Mattu Pongal

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Thai Pongal

Jan 15, 2007: Thai Pongal at Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Devasthanam in Colombo 13
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