A Trip To ANURADHAPURA

          A few Days back I and my wife were went to Anuradhapura for fulfill our promise to “JAYA SHRI MAHA BODHI”. The promise was, within weeks of my wife getting pregnant; we went to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and wished our baby would be a healthy beautiful baby. Similarly, we promised that the child will come to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi within a year after the birth of the child and offer 01 Atapirikara and 21 white lotus flowers. And the wife's mother also joined us on this journey. 

         We traveled by train. It was a much happier pilgrimage than a car ride. In fact, it was the first train trip of my wife, her mother, and my little daughter. We started our journey by the Yal Devi train leaving Colombo Fort at 6.30 am. The train was traveling up to Kankasanthurai in Jaffna and we were able to get out of Anuradhapura in about 4 hours. 

         Anuradhapura was the first kingdom in Sri Lanka and is believed to have been built around 377 BC. Ancient Anuradhapura is armed with many priceless Buddhist heritage. The city boasts of many temples, tanks, dageba, paddy fields, and other values built by the Kings. The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is one of the most important Buddhist heritage sites in the country.It was this great tree that gave the shade for enlightenment to Supreme Buddha. 

        Therefore, the Sri Lankan Buddhists believe that the blessings of that noble shadow will always be available to the whole world. The Buddhists believe that the Dhamma preached by the Buddha is relevant to the past, present and future and that the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi will remain until the end of the Sambuddha Sasana which was established by the Buddha. It is also the oldest tree in the world. 

        I remind you that this oldest tree is a must see for all. It also has a mild cooling that you wouldn't mind returning to if you spent a moment under the shade. So, incorporate this world heritage into your tour. Visit this precious heritage once and for all. 

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Elephant Safari

          A huge black stone on the ground. We needed a little rest during our walk in the Habarana forest, which is located along with the Colombo - Trincomalee main road in North Central province of Sri Lanka. Therefore, we advanced ahead and wished to take a little rest on that huge stone. However, one of my friend saw, the stone moving up and down slowly. Then he told us " Oh my god, it's an Elephant. Machan, It's an Elephant". We were shocked there were few feet between that Blockbuster and us. However, fortunately, he is getting his sleep deeply. Therefore, we pulled back and went away from him. When I was working at Habarana, I have experienced these types of incidents frequently. We spent our leisure times by walking in the forest then we were able to collect awesome memories with these wild friends. 

          Habarana forest has nominated as a Reserve Forest by the government of Sri Lanka, which is separated by Colombo - Trincomalee main road into two land blocks in two main Provinces. The West side of the forest belongs to the North Central Province and the Eastern Province has its Eastern region. In addition, this forest is located in the dry zone in Sri Lanka. The leaves of the trees are thinner than Wet Zone. High in warmth but rich in wind every second. Due to the Termination of the rain season December to March is the most suitable period for visiting this area.

         
          If you are traveling Habarana, the Elephants are the main reason for it. You can see Sri Lankan Elephants as Gangs or individual in this Reserve Forest. Most of the Elephants in this area are living as Gangs. There are so many Safari jeeps for a safe journey. Major purpose of these jeeps are travel with their visitors to see the Jumbos. Some Elephants present friendly behaviors with human and some of others hate human. They like to eat young green leaves. Water is compulsory. About two or three times for a day they move to the water resources for their water needs. The Safari drivers know well at what times they are going to water. Near some water points, you can catch them clearly. At some tourist hotels, they arrange Elephant Rides for you. I think it could be a nice experience for you and your family. 

          These Elephants have great manners. They know well who is their mother and they respect her always. The leader of the bunch have the responsibility about other members. He goes in front of the bunch and consider about the security. If father, mother and baby are living together always, we call them "Thunpath Rena". In the Sri Lankan culture, Elephants participate for so many cultural festivals and events. An iconic and world famous event, which called Dalada Perahera has decorated by the Elephants. The main chapter of the Perahera is Scared Tooth Relic of Load Buddha by selected qualified Tusker. I will text later about Dalada Perahera.

    

Bunch At Lunch

          The people living in Habarana area are facing many many straggles because of Wild Elephants.The Elephants looking for their foods by destroying cultivations. Farmers try their best to protect their plantations. Sometimes one or two people die due to Elephant attacks. Therefore, you must be careful when you walk here and there in the Forest. So, vist here and enjoy our Jumbos...

          

 Elephants Foot Steps                            A "Thunpath Rena"

                             

The Special Rice

         There is a special Rice in Sri Lankan cuisine, which named Kiri Bath. Also known as Milk Rice. This special Rice prepared by cooking Rice with adding Coconut Milk or Fresh Cow Milk. Sri Lankans commonly serve this delicious meal for breakfast for celebrating their special moments. At the first day of every month, Birthdays, Weddings, New Year Celebrations, even at the first shave of bread they prepare Kiri Bath to Eat with Lunu Mirisa. Then it's a renowned traditional Sri Lankan dish also. 

        Sri Lankan housewives are expert in this dish. On Ancient days, new brides should prepare a Milk Rice for husband's relatives after the arrival of his home. It was a judgment and a tradition in past times. If a woman can prepare a Milk Rice deliciously, they think, that woman can feed her husband very well. In addition, she presents her cooking skills to his relatives.

           There are few types of Kiri Bath as follows 

1. Kiri Bath

2. Mun Kiri Bath

Prepare by mixing green gram with Kiri Bath

3. Imbul Kiri Bath

Prepare by adding Coconut Treacle to Kiri Bath

                You also can prepare this delicious dish at your home by using a guiding video. At the first try, you could be failed. However, at the second or third time you will win exactly. Try it. its a nice experience.

               In my kid times, my mother prepared this dish for us at our birthdays. In addition, my wife also prepares it so deliciously. In our homes this special Sinhala dish prepare for Sinhala Hindu New Year as the main meal. There are many auspicious times to do some special things in Sinhala Hindu New Year. (Tell you later about it) One of the auspicious times there is a one to prepare meals and another auspicious time to eat foods. In these times, our mothers prepare Kiri Bath and Fathers give us Kiri Bath by their own hands to eat. Wow.... it is an awesome moment.

                   

               Milk Rice is high in protein, which is make your body rich in strength to do works hard. If you work hard, you will have a good life. At past, Sinhala people harvesting paddy fields and do other plantations for their own. To do these hard works they wanted more strength. Then they prepared this dish to get much body power. However, if you work in an office this dish is not suitable for you. Because, it can make you sleepy. Therefore, this ancient meal is for hard workers. Mind it....

        In Sri Lankan tourist hotels, you can have this special dish with Lunumirisa,,,Katta Sambola,,,Sini Sambola or Malu Embul Thiyal what are the additions to make it more delicious. Therefore, I will do next how to prepare a Kiri Bath step by step then you can prepare it by yourself. Thanks you all...


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