The Temple of the Sacred Tooth, and by chance, given the mass of people, a meeting with the couple from Cornwall I’d met at Colombo station on the way down here, a meeting which could have been divine intervention, as it led to a lovely day and the chance to get to know Theresa and Robin much better.
The temple is the most sacred site in Sir Lanka, and I’d timed my visit to see the opening of the door onto the relic, hidden inside a wall of gold and silver, but a moving experience, to see hundreds of worshippers pushing and crying, waving offerings. The babies here are kept inside for three months until they can be taken to the temple to be blessed, so there is an inner ‘pen’ which was full of mothers holding up infants, which made me cry.
In the crush I’d been befriended by a group of volunteers in an orientation tour, who ‘adopted’ me, and so I had the benefit of their informative tour guide, learning much about Buddhism and the history of the temple, seeing hidden ‘gems’ such as the pictures which look painted but are actually made of precious stones, and being allowed out on the royal balcony overlooking the city.
It takes about two hours to see all the shrines, temple artefacts, museums, etc,…fascinating and moving though it was, it was with great delight I accepted an invitation from my friends to go back with them to enjoy their hospitality in their 5 star hotel outside Kandy.
So this afternoon I spent by the pool in their luxurious hotel, wallowing in the cool water, admiring the palms waving overhead, and drinking ginger beer in the hot sun. Their room is the size of the whole place I’m perched in, sheer luxury, it was bliss.
In the evening we went out together to see the Kandian dancers, the cultural show at the YMBA, and then to dinner….they decided my recommendation from last night was preferable to their driver’s choice (he was miffed) and so another delightful supper with friends, discussing England, travels, family and……….chickens and marmite!!
The temple is the most sacred site in Sir Lanka, and I’d timed my visit to see the opening of the door onto the relic, hidden inside a wall of gold and silver, but a moving experience, to see hundreds of worshippers pushing and crying, waving offerings. The babies here are kept inside for three months until they can be taken to the temple to be blessed, so there is an inner ‘pen’ which was full of mothers holding up infants, which made me cry.
In the crush I’d been befriended by a group of volunteers in an orientation tour, who ‘adopted’ me, and so I had the benefit of their informative tour guide, learning much about Buddhism and the history of the temple, seeing hidden ‘gems’ such as the pictures which look painted but are actually made of precious stones, and being allowed out on the royal balcony overlooking the city.
It takes about two hours to see all the shrines, temple artefacts, museums, etc,…fascinating and moving though it was, it was with great delight I accepted an invitation from my friends to go back with them to enjoy their hospitality in their 5 star hotel outside Kandy.
So this afternoon I spent by the pool in their luxurious hotel, wallowing in the cool water, admiring the palms waving overhead, and drinking ginger beer in the hot sun. Their room is the size of the whole place I’m perched in, sheer luxury, it was bliss.
In the evening we went out together to see the Kandian dancers, the cultural show at the YMBA, and then to dinner….they decided my recommendation from last night was preferable to their driver’s choice (he was miffed) and so another delightful supper with friends, discussing England, travels, family and……….chickens and marmite!!
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