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    to see a world in a grain of sand

    Photos from Sri Lanka

    There are [10] photos from Sri Lanka

    The promised ride to prosperity seems to have broken down, and the citizens of the North can only wait and ponder what the future will bring. Views[362] The roads have been refurbished; but they are hardly used, as most people – with all the economic hardships that war brings – can only afford a bicycle... Views[350] Mains electricity is coming with all the luxuries it brings – but the wires have not yet arrived… Views[336] The war ended 4 years ago, and with peace, development from the south has been slowly trickling in to nourish this parched land – but there is still much more to be done. Views[383] When the civil war in Sri Lanka started, this truck was a new model. Yes, that’s how long ago it started. Terrorists fought a 3-decade-long guerilla war against the government forces in pursuit of a “homeland” in the North and East of the country Views[418]
     
    And yet, just outside the temple, this destitute old man sleeps under a tree after begging all day to eke out a living. It seems he has been forsaken, not only by the scores of pilgrims passing by who think nothing of spending millions on rich offerings, but also by the god next door in this most sacred of cities. Views[492] After the offering, the fruits are consumed by the pilgrims, and the leftovers are trashed. You can surely imagine the number of offerings from the volume of garbage collected daily. Views[318] The pilgrimage would not be complete without offering a platter of fruits and flowers; shops aplenty offer ready-made platters for upwards of Rs. 1500 (12$), while bespoke platters with exotic fruits can cost Rs. 10,000 (80$) or more. Views[353] Meanwhile, other pilgrims are lighting terracotta oil lamps to reaffirm their devotion Views[319] Kataragama, one of the most sacred sites in Sri Lanka. One of many devotees requests a boon from the god, holding aloft a coconut on which a camphor fire burns. She will later smash the coconut on a rock, and hope it splits auspiciously into two equal halves. Views[1057]
     

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