Most people come dressed in white.
Close to the entrance people are offering prayers. They douse a coconut with camphor oil, light it on fire and then dash it onto a large rock to make it crack open.
People are carrying large plates of fruit into the temple.
The line is hours long - and added to continuously as we visit the various areas of the temple. When we left around 9PM people were still pouring in and the line was still 200 yards long. Iraj tells us that at the full moon festival in August one can barely move in the temple and people are camping all over the countryside.
There is music and drumming as people parade around the Hindu section of the temple carrying large red arcs which represent the ego. We joined in the dancing which impressed all the locals!
The moon was nearly full - an auspicious day for Sri Lankans.
We continued on to the Muslim area which was quieter still and enjoyed a lovely talk with the caretaker.
The next morning we headed for another temple on our way to Iraj's paternal family village but we turned around when we heard the traffic was backed up for miles.
We enjoyed some beautiful countryside views.
And stopped at one of the many places where yogurt is made from buffalo milk (called curd here to distinguish it from cow yogurt).
It is served in non-recyclable pottery dishes.
With a topping of kitul syrup made from palm sap. YUM!
Our long drive was made interesting by this sign on the limited access road!
The evening pooja was in full swing when we arrived at the family temple.
People circumnavigate the main bodhi tree which is descended from the bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained his Enlightenment. This mother and daughter are pouring water into the cachement that waters the tree.
The next morning the household is in full swing preparing for the visit of 10 monks. The cooks had already been cooking the whole day before - grating dozens of coconuts for the meat and the milk, making the curries, frying the vegetable fritters, baking the custards, cutting up the banana leaves.
Every plate had to have the right number of fruits.
All the seats covered in white to symbolize purity as we await the arrival of the monks.
Make sure you don't snitch anything from the plates as this will take away from the purity of the alms giving!
The relics from the temple arrive and must be respectfully shielded from the sun.
As the monks arrive a younger cousin has the honor of washing their feet.
They sit in order of their status. We enjoy chanting, prayers and a welcome sermon for a good half hour.
Then it is time to serve the food!
We felt honored to be asked to participate. The monks would point to where they wanted the food put on their plates. Or would hold their palm down over the plate if they declined a particular dish. Generally they do not eat flesh - however if another monk gives it to them they can eat it! Quite a sophisticated way to get a bite of shrimp!
While dessert is served the family is packaging up all the food for them to take back to their temples.
Gifts are given. The two large packets contain the 8 items that a new monk receives when he comes to join a temple (2 robes, food bowl, razor, needle and thread, ...). The smaller packages are light bulbs! Earlier in our trip we were instructed as to the proper hand motions to use when giving a gift and that yielded a smile from the monk who I gifted.
This alms giving event was to mark the second anniversary of the passing of Iraj's grandfather who he was very close to. So now there was more chanting in his honor which was very moving. Water was poured from the teapot to signify blessings to him from his progeny as he makes his passage in the Spirit realms.
The relics are carefully returned to the temple.
And the feasting and family time can begin! The men gravitate outside for some arrack (coconut liquor) while the women pretend they don't know since liquor should NOT be consumed at a holy gathering! My bribe for hiding this photo was to enjoy some delicious fried prawns!
Iraj and his brother Sajita enjoy horseplay with a cousin - just like families everywhere.
Iraj with his maternal grandmother. It was so sweet to see how they honored her when she left - the custom of bowing to the feet of the elders is very beautiful.
Our last night in Colombo we were delighted to watch the full moon parade which lasted for 2 hours, probably would have been longer if it hadn't started to rain.
There were hundreds of drummers and dancers in amazing costumes.
Flags from each of the provinces.
And a dozen elephants in costumes.
Don't forget the neon!
When the rain started everyone picked up the chairs along the route for protection!!
The next morning we bid a sad farewell to the family and to Ranjani and Pria who took such good care of us. Getting used to having servants was quite a psycho-cultural shift but they cared for us with ease and affection. I am acutely aware after being home now for 10 days of how much time is occupied by all the tasks of shopping, cooking and cleaning.
The signs in Sri Lanka were not nearly as entertaining as in India - but this one was often seen in public restrooms!
And just for a reality check about how some people live their lives and spend their money - this bottle of cognac was seen in the "duty-free" shop (I never find the prices there any better than at home!) in the Abu Dhabi airport - and yes that price tag DOES read $9338!
I asked the saleswoman if they actually sell these and she said 2 had been sold that month. SIGH.....
We arrived home after 35 hours of travel! Easy flights, plenty of waiting. Glad to feel the cool air. So sad to see a backyard devoid of snow. Happy to greet our cats who followed us around for days.
Thanks to all who have commented on our posts.
