Is SriLanka this beautiful?

[Viraja]

From an old yet lovely Tamil movie song that was shot in SriLanka (1975):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYhF-ipC2Jw

[Viraja]

Oops! I wish this thread could be deleted... This isn't about India. Sorry.

[Equinox]

Vannakkam


Oops! I wish this thread could be deleted... This isn't about India. Sorry.

Sri Lanka is part of Greater India, part of the Indian subcontinent. As such, it is still considered part of Bharata, besides Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and so on. And as there are many Hindus in Sri Lanka, who have been there for at least 2000 years, and follow the Indian culture, I wouldn't consider it wrong to have threads here in HDF on Sri Lanka.

It would only give us a limited view of Hinduism and Indian culture if everything is to be focused on one country alone. What about other Hindu majority places like Bali in Indonesia?

There were many Hindu kingdoms in Sri Lanka once upon a time, before most of them became Buddhists. But Hinduism is still practised in an orthodox form of Saivism in the northern city of Jaffna and other areas, where the vast majority of people originate from Southern India, mainly the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and arrived during the Chola occupation of Sri Lanka, about one to two milleniums ago.

As to your question, "Is Sri Lanka This Beautiful?", I'll say that yes, Sri Lanka is that beautiful. It is an extremely beautiful and charming country, and clean too. With the end of the civil war, Sri Lanka has been receiving a boom in the tourism industry, mainly because of its picture perfect beauty.


Aum Namah Shivaya

[Omkara]

The answer to the title question is yes,but could someone explain to me why this thread is in the section called 'hot topics'?

[Viraja]

@Equinox,

I wonder if SriLanka is really as hot as TamilNadu or AP. Such a picturesque beauty throughout does not come through under very, very hot climatic conditions.

Omkaraji,

Given it is about the scenic beauty of a place (almost like a picnic resort), it should be under a topic named 'Cold Topics'? :Cool:

[Equinox]

The weather is more or less the same. But somehow thats the exact scenery you get. I've been there only once so far. It's something like Kerala.

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam: My Sri Lankan Tamil friends would all agree the scenery is this beautiful, yes. But the civil war has had a devastating effect on the spirits of the people. Still they are standing strong, and rebuilding Hinduism in the diaspora stronger than any group before them.

Aum Namasivaya

[realdemigod]

Sri Lanka apparently is very beautiful.. as I don't have first hand experience. The movie 'Bridge on River Kwai' was shot in Sri Lanka and many other movies. I heard from friends who have been there..that people there are very nice

[Viraja]

Vanakkam EMji,

I don't know how much of an impact the Tamil Tiger movement and the strifes b/w SriLankan Govt. and them uptil the killing of Prabhakaran has been on the psychology of an average SriLankan Hindu... I'm guessing a lot of bitterment. Hope they come out of the blues and I wish the SriLankan Tamils can have their own Tamil Eelam soon (I belong to the party that wants this for the SriLankan tamils for all that they've been through...).

A lot of Tamil movies and individual songs are still made in SriLanka which suggests to me SriLankan tourism is doing very good. I read last year Summer in Dinamalar how Ooty, Thekkadi, Kodaikanal, etc. in TamilNadu were without much tourist flocking... in olden days, they were the #1 spots for movie shootings!! These days no new movies are made there, I read. Sad news for TamilNadu tourism.

Thank you, Equinox, RDG for your replies.

Pranam.

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam: The south part is safe, but the north, east, and intermediate areas aren't. Personally, because of my Tamil name and country of origin, I wouldn't even want to do an airport transfer.

Most Tamils here are coping by not talking about it much. The tragedies impact many because of the nature of the close knit communities. Many people had to flee, hide, lie low, etc. Much property (and lives) was lost. A war is a war, and brutality is practically the norm. I won't go into details I have heard but trust me it gets pretty sad with some of the stories.

As for the quality of the Brahmin priests, many are serving here in North America, and often train in the Pillaiyarpatti kulam or other places in India, so there is an even tighter knit group within the Brahmins, because relatively speaking, it is smaller. But the extensive knowledge of Sanskrit and the mystical part will really show through when you witness a well trained priest perform his job.

Certainly, on a personal level, I feel incredibly lucky to have had the many years of interactions I've had with this community.

Aum Namasivaya

[Equinox]

The movie 'Bridge on River Kwai' was shot in Sri Lanka

I chanced to visit the exact spot where the scene of the bridge was shot. :D

It's quite a tourist attraction apparently, though the bridge isn't there anymore, having been dismantled completely after the filming of the movie. Our tourist guide was so enthusiastic in explaining the details.

[Equinox]

Vannakkam Eastern Mind


Vannakkam: The south part is safe, but the north, east, and intermediate areas aren't. Personally, because of my Tamil name and country of origin, I wouldn't even want to do an airport transfer.


The main reason the northern areas seem unsafe would be due to the large, unnecessary presence of the Sri Lankan Army. Soldiers are everywhere, supposedly guarding these areas. Other than that, it's perfectly peaceful, especially Jaffna. You might feel the presence of the soldiers, but they are slowly reducing in number. Good riddance!

Having a Tamil name wouldn't make any difference. Many, many relatives and friends of mine from all over the world have taken the opportunity to visit the northern areas after the war, and there seems to be nothing to suggest it as being unsafe. If at all, it might be the remnants of the war.


As for the quality of the Brahmin priests, many are serving here in North America, and often train in the Pillaiyarpatti kulam or other places in India, so there is an even tighter knit group within the Brahmins, because relatively speaking, it is smaller. But the extensive knowledge of Sanskrit and the mystical part will really show through when you witness a well trained priest perform his job.

I'm glad you noticed this. They are in high demand at our temples here, and I enjoy talking to them. I wouldn't add anything much because you've already said what's to be said about them. They are very dedicated. :)

All I have to highlight is their punctuality and perfect manner of performing rituals, besides their thoroughness, which seems to add a touch of quality and splendour to the temples they officiate at. I also love their eloquent way of chanting the mantras, with excellent pronunciation and tone. (These views are from my humble observations over the years, as well as gossip from people of other Hindu communities).


Certainly, on a personal level, I feel incredibly lucky to have had the many years of interactions I've had with this community.


You can add another to your list. :D Just joking.


Aum Namah Shivaya

[Eastern Mind]

The main reason the northern areas seem unsafe would be due to the large, unnecessary presence of the Sri Lankan Army. Soldiers are everywhere, supposedly guarding these areas.

Having a Tamil name wouldn't make any difference.

Aum Namah Shivaya

Vannakkam: I still wouldn't go ... on the advice of my friends here. They go, but never for long. A new event like one bombing or mistake can set the whole thing off again. The Sri Lankan government is becoming increasingly antagonistic towards American, European, and Canadians because of the United Nations calling for independent inquiries into war crimes, which they (SL government) won't allow. So its still like walking a tightrope. Even back in 1982, travelling with a group, my wife was singled out and interrogated. She made the mistake of answering 'Yes' to the question ... Do you know any Tamils in Canada?"

On a side note, as with the British indentured labour program, it has has the positive effect of spreading Hinduism far and wide.

But this is a religious forum, not a political one, so I won't continue this discussion. As for the priests, I concur. I just returned from going on a week long sojourn with our priest family from here to Vancouver. The roles were reversed ..(I was the driver) . We had a good time, and I gained even further insight into the lives of kurukkals. We saw a lot of beautiful waterfalls, Siva's beautiful creations.

Aum Namasivaya

[Equinox]

Vannakkam


Vannakkam: I still wouldn't go ... on the advice of my friends here. They go, but never for long. A new event like one bombing or mistake can set the whole thing off again. The Sri Lankan government is becoming increasingly antagonistic towards American, European, and Canadians because of the United Nations calling for independent inquiries into war crimes, which they (SL government) won't allow. So its still like walking a tightrope. Even back in 1982, travelling with a group, my wife was singled out and interrogated. She made the mistake of answering 'Yes' to the question ... Do you know any Tamils in Canada?"

Wow... I didnt know they went to this extent. If this is the case, then yes, it would be dangerous for you.


But this is a religious forum, not a political one, so I won't continue this discussion.

I didn't feel comfortable about the war stuff being posted earlier to begin with, since it's a religious forum, and it got me thinking as to why the war situations have to be brought up every so often.


I just returned from going on a week long sojourn with our priest family from here to Vancouver. The roles were reversed ..(I was the driver) . We had a good time, and I gained even further insight into the lives of kurukkals. We saw a lot of beautiful waterfalls, Siva's beautiful creations.

That's nice. Now I know the reason to your sudden disappearance the whole week. :)