Sri Lanka 2008

Justin sent many humorous SMSes to keep me entertained. This one is spoofing the "Welcome to insert-country-name-here" SMSes you always get from local phone companies when you arrive in a ne ...

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:25:53 -0800

pemdas
Justin sent many humorous SMSes to keep me entertained. This one is spoofing the "Welcome to insert-country-name-here" SMSes you always get from local phone companies when you arrive in a ne ...

With Janet LeValley, an old family friend, in the Grand Oriental Hotel, Colombo

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:48:35 -0800

pemdas
With Janet LeValley, an old family friend, in the Grand Oriental Hotel, Colombo

Buddha, Sri Lankan flag, Colombo

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:48:49 -0800

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Buddha, Sri Lankan flag, Colombo

Note the tuna hanging out the side of the bajaj, with a "wide load" ribbon on the tail

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:49:05 -0800

pemdas
Note the tuna hanging out the side of the bajaj, with a "wide load" ribbon on the tail

Macaque and nuns, Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 1st century BCE to the 10th century CE.

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:49:23 -0800

pemdas
Macaque and nuns, Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 1st century BCE to the 10th century CE.

Coconut oil lamps offered near the Bodhi tree, Anuradhapura

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:49:42 -0800

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Coconut oil lamps offered near the Bodhi tree, Anuradhapura

Guardstone to the Bodhi tree, Anuradhapura. Guardstones potray a naga (serpent god - note cobra halo) king holding a cornucopia and a sprouting branch, symbols of prosperity and fertility. A ...

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:49:56 -0800

pemdas
Guardstone to the Bodhi tree, Anuradhapura. Guardstones potray a naga (serpent god - note cobra halo) king holding a cornucopia and a sprouting branch, symbols of prosperity and fertility. A ...

Sri Maha Bodhi - a sapling of the original bodhi tree, planted in 288 BC -- thus the oldest historical tree. Anuradhapura

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:50:20 -0800

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Sri Maha Bodhi - a sapling of the original bodhi tree, planted in 288 BC -- thus the oldest historical tree. Anuradhapura

Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba, Anuradhapura

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:50:45 -0800

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Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba, Anuradhapura

Sudden thunderstorm, Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba, Anuradhapura

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:50:45 -0800

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Sudden thunderstorm, Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba, Anuradhapura

Wading through the temple complex, Anuradhapura

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:51:07 -0800

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Wading through the temple complex, Anuradhapura

Thuparama Dagoba, 3rd century BCE -- one of the oldest stupas in the world. Anuradhapura

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:51:15 -0800

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Thuparama Dagoba, 3rd century BCE -- one of the oldest stupas in the world. Anuradhapura

Moonstone, Mahasena's Palace, Anuradhapura. The symbolism is debated but generally represents movement from the cycle of rebirth inwards to the lotus, representing nibbana

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:51:38 -0800

pemdas
Moonstone, Mahasena's Palace, Anuradhapura. The symbolism is debated but generally represents movement from the cycle of rebirth inwards to the lotus, representing nibbana

Guardstone, Northern Ruins, Anuradhapura

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:52:10 -0800

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Guardstone, Northern Ruins, Anuradhapura

Abhayagiri Dagoba, once the center of a heretical sect, visited by Fa Xian in 412. Anuradhapura

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:52:18 -0800

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Abhayagiri Dagoba, once the center of a heretical sect, visited by Fa Xian in 412. Anuradhapura

4th century Samadhi Buddha statue, Northern Ruins, Anuradhapura

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:52:29 -0800

pemdas
4th century Samadhi Buddha statue, Northern Ruins, Anuradhapura

One of the Kuttam Pokuna (twin ponds) in Anuradhapura, built for monks to bathe in in the 6th-8th century. It has an ingenius water filtration system.

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:52:47 -0800

pemdas
One of the Kuttam Pokuna (twin ponds) in Anuradhapura, built for monks to bathe in in the 6th-8th century. It has an ingenius water filtration system.

Moss-covered turtule, Kuttam Pokuna, Anuradhapura

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:52:56 -0800

pemdas
Moss-covered turtule, Kuttam Pokuna, Anuradhapura

Jetavanarama Dagoba, Anuradhapura. When it was built in the 3rd century, it was the world's third tallest building, the first two being pyramids.

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:53:22 -0800

pemdas
Jetavanarama Dagoba, Anuradhapura. When it was built in the 3rd century, it was the world's third tallest building, the first two being pyramids.

Grey langurs, Jetavanarama Dagoba, Anuradhapura

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:53:27 -0800

pemdas
Grey langurs, Jetavanarama Dagoba, Anuradhapura

Grey langur, Jetavanarama Dagoba, Anuradhapura

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:53:46 -0800

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Grey langur, Jetavanarama Dagoba, Anuradhapura

Grey langurs, Jetavanarama Dagoba, Anuradhapura

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:54:01 -0800

pemdas
Grey langurs, Jetavanarama Dagoba, Anuradhapura

Elephant safari, Habarana. On the right is the platform from which you mount the elephant

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:54:22 -0800

pemdas
Elephant safari, Habarana. On the right is the platform from which you mount the elephant

Feeding my elephant a mango, Habarana

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:54:39 -0800

pemdas
Feeding my elephant a mango, Habarana

Elephant safari, Habarana

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:55:04 -0800

pemdas
Elephant safari, Habarana

Snorkeling elephant, Habarana

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:55:25 -0800

pemdas
Snorkeling elephant, Habarana

Elephant safari, Habarana

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:55:45 -0800

pemdas
Elephant safari, Habarana

Elephant safari, Habarana

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:56:04 -0800

pemdas
Elephant safari, Habarana

Feeding elephant another mango, Habarana

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:56:21 -0800

pemdas
Feeding elephant another mango, Habarana

Sigiriya, the magma plug of a long-since-eroded volcano

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:56:40 -0800

pemdas
Sigiriya, the magma plug of a long-since-eroded volcano

Ruins at Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:57:03 -0800

pemdas
Ruins at Sigiriya

Path to Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:57:18 -0800

pemdas
Path to Sigiriya

Turtles in the water garden, Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:57:39 -0800

pemdas
Turtles in the water garden, Sigiriya

The base of Sigiriya is riddled with caves, once lived in by monks who rejected the opulent monasteries of Anuradhapura and Polunnaruwa

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:57:58 -0800

pemdas
The base of Sigiriya is riddled with caves, once lived in by monks who rejected the opulent monasteries of Anuradhapura and Polunnaruwa

Eek!

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:58:13 -0800

pemdas
Eek!

Path to Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:58:36 -0800

pemdas
Path to Sigiriya

View down from halfway up Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:58:55 -0800

pemdas
View down from halfway up Sigiriya

Stairs up to the frescos, Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:59:11 -0800

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Stairs up to the frescos, Sigiriya

Fresco, Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:59:27 -0800

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Fresco, Sigiriya

Fresco, Sigiriya. These may represent heavenly nymphs, or the king's concubines, or Tara

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:59:52 -0800

pemdas
Fresco, Sigiriya. These may represent heavenly nymphs, or the king's concubines, or Tara

Fresco, Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:00:11 -0800

pemdas
Fresco, Sigiriya

Fresco, Sigiriya. The one on the left has three nipples -- the artist changed his mind partway through

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:00:27 -0800

pemdas
Fresco, Sigiriya. The one on the left has three nipples -- the artist changed his mind partway through

Fresco, Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:00:50 -0800

pemdas
Fresco, Sigiriya

Fresco, Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:01:19 -0800

pemdas
Fresco, Sigiriya

Fresco, Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:01:28 -0800

pemdas
Fresco, Sigiriya

Fresco, Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:01:42 -0800

pemdas
Fresco, Sigiriya

1000-year-old graffiti commenting on the frescoes, Sigiriya. They say things like: "The ladies who wear golden chains on their breasts beckon me. As I have seen the resplendent ladies, heave ...

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:02:01 -0800

pemdas
1000-year-old graffiti commenting on the frescoes, Sigiriya. They say things like: "The ladies who wear golden chains on their breasts beckon me. As I have seen the resplendent ladies, heave ...

Locally believed to be a defensive structure (archaeologists less sure), Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:02:19 -0800

pemdas
Locally believed to be a defensive structure (archaeologists less sure), Sigiriya

The stairs to the top originally passed through the mouth of an enormous lion. Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:02:38 -0800

pemdas
The stairs to the top originally passed through the mouth of an enormous lion. Sigiriya

Marjorie between the lion's paws, Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:02:55 -0800

pemdas
Marjorie between the lion's paws, Sigiriya

View from the top of Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:03:06 -0800

pemdas
View from the top of Sigiriya

View back down towards the water garden, Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:39:10 -0800

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View back down towards the water garden, Sigiriya

Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:40:23 -0800

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Sigiriya

Water monitor, near Polunnaruwa

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:42:09 -0800

pemdas
Water monitor, near Polunnaruwa

Water monitor, near Polunnaruwa

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:44:25 -0800

pemdas
Water monitor, near Polunnaruwa

Royal palace of Parakramabahu I in Polunnaruwa, capital of Sri Lanka from the 10th-13th centuries

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:46:13 -0800

pemdas
Royal palace of Parakramabahu I in Polunnaruwa, capital of Sri Lanka from the 10th-13th centuries

Audience Hall, Polunnaruwa

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:47:46 -0800

pemdas
Audience Hall, Polunnaruwa

Lion statue, Audience Hall, Polunnaruwa

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:48:50 -0800

pemdas
Lion statue, Audience Hall, Polunnaruwa

Mythical creature with the body of a crocodile, ears of a peacock, eyes of a monkey, tusks of a board, trunk of an elephant. Audience Hall, Polunnaruwa

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:50:40 -0800

pemdas
Mythical creature with the body of a crocodile, ears of a peacock, eyes of a monkey, tusks of a board, trunk of an elephant. Audience Hall, Polunnaruwa

Shiva Devale #1, Polunnaruwa. The kings of Polunnaruwa intermarried with the Tamil royal family, so Hinduism became more prominent during this period.

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:51:52 -0800

pemdas
Shiva Devale #1, Polunnaruwa. The kings of Polunnaruwa intermarried with the Tamil royal family, so Hinduism became more prominent during this period.

Shivalingam, Shiva Devale #1, Polunnaruwa

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:53:04 -0800

pemdas
Shivalingam, Shiva Devale #1, Polunnaruwa

Shiva Devale #1, Polunnaruwa. The stones are just stacked together, with no mortar

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:55:11 -0800

pemdas
Shiva Devale #1, Polunnaruwa. The stones are just stacked together, with no mortar

Shiva Devale #1, Polunnaruwa

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:56:30 -0800

pemdas
Shiva Devale #1, Polunnaruwa

Cobra lurking near the entrance of the Vatadage, Polunnaruwa

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:58:25 -0800

pemdas
Cobra lurking near the entrance of the Vatadage, Polunnaruwa

One of four Buddha statues in the Vatadage, Polunnaruwa. In background: Satmahal Prasada, possibly influenced by Khmer architecture

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:59:45 -0800

pemdas
One of four Buddha statues in the Vatadage, Polunnaruwa. In background: Satmahal Prasada, possibly influenced by Khmer architecture

Moonstone, Vatadage, Polunnaruwa. Polunnaruwa-era moonstones lack lions (which had become the national symbol) and bulls (sacred to Hindus)

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:01:51 -0800

pemdas
Moonstone, Vatadage, Polunnaruwa. Polunnaruwa-era moonstones lack lions (which had become the national symbol) and bulls (sacred to Hindus)

Rankot Vihara, the largest dagoba in Polunnaruwa

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:02:54 -0800

pemdas
Rankot Vihara, the largest dagoba in Polunnaruwa

12th century Buddha carved from the living rock, Gal Vihara, Polunnaruwa. This is a very unusual posture representing sorrow.

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:04:00 -0800

pemdas
12th century Buddha carved from the living rock, Gal Vihara, Polunnaruwa. This is a very unusual posture representing sorrow.

Sorrowful Buddha and Buddha entering parinibbana. 12th century, Gal Vihara, Polunnaruwa

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:05:32 -0800

pemdas
Sorrowful Buddha and Buddha entering parinibbana. 12th century, Gal Vihara, Polunnaruwa

12th century Samadhi Buddha, Gal Vihara, Polunnaruwa

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:07:52 -0800

pemdas
12th century Samadhi Buddha, Gal Vihara, Polunnaruwa

Hornet's nest, Minneriya National Park

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:09:51 -0800

pemdas
Hornet's nest, Minneriya National Park

Self-portrait while riding in a Jeep through Minneriya National Park. (I think standing up in a moving vehicle was half the fun.)

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:11:33 -0800

pemdas
Self-portrait while riding in a Jeep through Minneriya National Park. (I think standing up in a moving vehicle was half the fun.)

Everybody's got a water buffalo... Minneriya National Park

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:12:06 -0800

pemdas
Everybody's got a water buffalo... Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:07:00 -0800

pemdas
Minneriya National Park

Elephants, Minneriya National Park

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:11:17 -0800

pemdas
Elephants, Minneriya National Park

Elephants, Minneriya National Park

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:11:59 -0800

pemdas
Elephants, Minneriya National Park

Elephants, Minneriya National Park

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:12:26 -0800

pemdas
Elephants, Minneriya National Park

Baby elephants nursing, trying to eat grass. Minneriya National Park

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:10:42 -0800

pemdas
Baby elephants nursing, trying to eat grass. Minneriya National Park

Marjorie with elephants, Minneriya National Park

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:13:30 -0800

pemdas
Marjorie with elephants, Minneriya National Park

Elephants, Minneriya National Park

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:14:24 -0800

pemdas
Elephants, Minneriya National Park

Baby elephant nursing, Minneriya National Park

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:15:10 -0800

pemdas
Baby elephant nursing, Minneriya National Park

Painted storks, Minneriya National Park

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:16:12 -0800

pemdas
Painted storks, Minneriya National Park

Painted storks, Minneriya National Park

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:16:27 -0800

pemdas
Painted storks, Minneriya National Park

Eagle (White-bellied sea eagle?), Minneriya National Park

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:17:08 -0800

pemdas
Eagle (White-bellied sea eagle?), Minneriya National Park

Minneriya National Park

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:18:08 -0800

pemdas
Minneriya National Park

Peacock, Minneriya National Park

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:19:47 -0800

pemdas
Peacock, Minneriya National Park

Peacocks, Hotel Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:20:55 -0800

pemdas
Peacocks, Hotel Sigiriya

Manioc curry! Mmm-mmm!

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:22:08 -0800

pemdas
Manioc curry! Mmm-mmm!

Creche set, Hotel Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:23:37 -0800

pemdas
Creche set, Hotel Sigiriya

View from Hotel Sigiriya

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:24:17 -0800

pemdas
View from Hotel Sigiriya

Tacky museum, Dambulla. Entering a temple through a demon's jaws is a very Sinhalese motif, but this seems like an oddly Miyazaki-esque version.

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:24:58 -0800

pemdas
Tacky museum, Dambulla. Entering a temple through a demon's jaws is a very Sinhalese motif, but this seems like an oddly Miyazaki-esque version.

Grooming macaques, Dambulla

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:25:59 -0800

pemdas
Grooming macaques, Dambulla

Snacking macaque, Dambulla

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:27:13 -0800

pemdas
Snacking macaque, Dambulla

Ananda (?) mourning at the feet of the dying Buddha, Cave of the Divine King, Dambulla

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:28:15 -0800

pemdas
Ananda (?) mourning at the feet of the dying Buddha, Cave of the Divine King, Dambulla

The dying Buddha, shrine to Vishnu at his head. Dambulla

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:29:13 -0800

pemdas
The dying Buddha, shrine to Vishnu at his head. Dambulla

Macaque and prayer flags, Dambulla

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:30:02 -0800

pemdas
Macaque and prayer flags, Dambulla

153 Buddha statues and decorate the caves, which have been a monastery since the 1st century BCE. Dambulla

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:31:10 -0800

pemdas
153 Buddha statues and decorate the caves, which have been a monastery since the 1st century BCE. Dambulla

There are also 2100 square meters of murals of the Buddha. Dambulla

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:33:22 -0800

pemdas
There are also 2100 square meters of murals of the Buddha. Dambulla

Two Hindu deities, Saman and Vishnu, have snuck in. Dambulla

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:34:30 -0800

pemdas
Two Hindu deities, Saman and Vishnu, have snuck in. Dambulla

The king who renovated the cave temple, Dambulla

nobody@smugmug.com (pemdas) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:35:39 -0800

pemdas
The king who renovated the cave temple, Dambulla