Penelope Gan | Photo Blog just some cl!cks by me …
Polonnaruwa Vatadage
The most famous of the ruins in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, if not the most most famous vatadage (circular house of relic) across Sri Lanka, is the Vatadage in Polonnaruwa. With four Buddha images facing the cardinal directions circling around the centerpiece stupa created from white marble and gilded with gold leaf during the city’s heydays in the 12th Century, Polonnaruwa was ravaged by invasions and later replaced by Kandy as the next administrative centre of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s Dagoba or Stupa
Stupas: a dome-shaped form created over sacred relics of Buddha on spots consecrated as the scenes of his acts are found around the world. However, Sri Lanka’s stupas are the largest brick structures known to the ancient world and have evolved over time into varied refined shapes with later ones covered with lime plasters made from a combination of material that includes egg whites, plant resins and the saliva of white ants!
Dambulla Cave Temple
The largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, the Dambulla Cave Temple was built by King Valagamba upon his return to the throne in Anuradapura kingdom as a gratitude to the monks of Dambulla who protected him from enemies during his 14 years in exile at the caves. With a total of 160 statues and murals covering an area of 2,100 m² the Dambulla Cave Temple has a rich history that dates back to the 7th century BC.
The Cathedral-Mosque Mezquita de Cordoba
Originating as a pagan temple, the Mezquita de Cordoba has been transformed to a Visigothic Christian Church, a Mosque and finally a Catholic Church resulting in an interesting eclectic mix of Moorish and Renaissance architecture as well as the co-existence of both Christian and Muslim elements under the same roof. Despite being over a century old, the tussle remains between Spanish Muslims and the Roman Catholic church on Spain’s famous Mezquita-Catedral (Mosque-Cathedral).
Hagia Sophia
A former Orthodox Patriarchal basilica between 360 to 1453, and later a mosque from 1453 to 1931, the Hagia Sophia has been transformed to a museum since 1935. Undergoing various stages of reconstruction, improvements, and more recently conservation, the Hagia Sophia is far from save due to its deteriorating structure and increasing humidity from rising ground water that weakens the stone work and paint. More funds and work is needed with the last taking place on 2006.
The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony
The Mevlewi believe in performing their dhikr in the form of a “dance” and musical ceremony known as the Sema, which involves whirling, from which the order acquired its nickname the Whirling Dervishes. The Sema represents a mystical journey of man’s spiritual ascent through mind and love towards “Perfection”. The Sema is credited to the Mevlewi founder, Rumi, who heard the dhikr “la elaha ella’llah” which filled him with happiness that he stretched out both arms and spun in a circle.