Life in India can be challenging, and I work intentionally to stay grounded especially as the busyness of the end of the year approaches. I was excited to spend a week in Sri Lanka for spring break, but I wanted the trip to be more than just a distraction from my busy life. It was a week filled with much excitement, adventure, and fun, and I found literal reminders everywhere to stay grounded in the present.
I kind of loved the foot statues
Contemplating
Me, Tiff, Sarah, staying grounded
Love these girls!
Sri Lanka is a largely Buddhist country and representations of the Buddha appear everywhere – from 2000 year old frescos found inside caves to statues encased in glass boxes on the side of the road to ornamental figurines on the dashboards of taxis. We spent the first days of our trip in a region known as the “Ancient Cities” to experience a bit of the Buddhist history and culture for ourselves.
Dambulla Caves
The ancient caves of Dambulla were one of the most amazing sights I have ever visited. They consist of a series of five caves with over 150 statues and paintings of the Buddha, the earliest of which were created here over 2000 years ago. This is thought to have been a place of worship since the 1st century B.C.
Golden Temple that is situated next to the cave enterance
Flowers can be purchased and left as an offering
Land Monitor Lizard
I was really there!
Buddha’s feet, commonly found at temples and at the base of trees
Offerings left at the reclining Buddha’s feet in Cave 1
Colorful feet!
Inside Cave II
Offerings at the Bodhi Tree
Altar
Reclining Buddha in Cave II
There is a story that a cobra sheltered the Buddha from rain while he was meditating
Beautiful view of Sri Lanka
Frescos in Cave II
Statues of monks bringing offerings to the Buddha
Sigirya
Rising dramatically out of the landscape, it was hard to miss Sigirya rock. It contains ruins of ancient civilizations and many believe it may even have been inhabited during prehistoric times. There are endless nooks and crannies to explore, and the hike to the top, although almost unbearably sweaty and hot, was rewarded with spectacular 360 degree views of seemingly endless green.
Sigirya Rock
At the top!
Cobra Hood Cave
Seems quite accurate.
Beware of hornets.
Why Worry?
Sarah 🙂
Sigiryia means Lion Rock. A lion’s paws mark the path to the final ascent.
Bath time for the elephants
Farmers sleep up in tree houses to watch out for wild elephants that wander onto their property.
Anuradhapura
Our final day in the Ancient Cities took us to Anuradhapura (which, despite all our efforts, we still can’t seem to pronounce). It has been an important city since 380 BC and is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. We rented bicycles and spent the day exploring the extensive ruins contained within this sprawling complex.
Dhyana Mudra
Three bikes
Sri Maha Bodhi. This tree is over 2000 years old and was planted from a cutting of the tree where Buddha sat and attained Enlightenment.
Sri Maha Bodhi. This tree is over 2000 years old and was planted from a cutting of the tree where Buddha sat and attained Enlightenment.
Monk in the park
Meditation
The Buddha’s collarbone is supposedly contained in this Dagoba. Not quite sure what to think about that.
Dagobas are Buddhist monuments containing relics of the Buddha or of Buddhist monks. Some of the dagobas in Anuradhapura were constructed in the 1st century BC.
Offerings
Buddha feet
Moonstone
Aerial prop roots grow down from the Banyan tree.
Dagoba
Nature taking over Abhayagiri Dagoba
Monkey and her baby
So many great details
Under the bodhi tree
Hikaduwa and Galle
We spent the rest of our vacation on the southwest coast of the island near Hikaduwa to catch some sun, beach, and waves.
Enjoying a beach sunset with a bottle of wine and two lovely friends!
Sarah and I ready to catch some waves!
Surfer babe
Surfer babe
Yes, we like surf
Dutch Reform Church in Fort Galle. Gravestone in the floors marked those who are buried beneath the church.
28 Buddhas
Poya – the full moon – is a holy day for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Families go to the temple to light candles and give offerings. We were grateful to be able to experience and learn about this important tradition!
Poya – the full moon – is a holy day for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. Families go to the temple to light candles and give offerings. We were grateful to be able to experience and learn about this important tradition!
The date the tsunami hit Sri Lanka. 50,000 lives were lost in this country, with nearly 300,000 casualties overall, most of them in Indonesia.
Moment of silence for the lives lost in the tsunami.
Many children were left orphaned after the tsunami hit. As part of their healing, they drew pictures of their experience.
The road that runs along the coast is lined with graves of people who were killed in the tsunami.
One of the things that struck me the most about Sri Lanka was the happiness of the people there. Nearly everyone we met greeted us with a generous smile and eagerness to listen and share. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to have explored this corner of the world, and I have returned to Delhi with the intention of keeping my feet on the ground and a smile on my face.
julirae 