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HEALTH AND WELL-BEING THROUGH TRAVEL AT NAWAGAMUWA DEVALAYA

 

#Travel provides individuals with #disabilities the chance to experience new environments, engage in physical activities, and enjoy outdoor spaces, contributing to their overall health and well-being.

#Accessible #tourism can cater to various healthcare needs, ensuring that individuals with disabilities can access necessary facilities and services during their travels.

#Manique Gunaratne gave the opportunity to a group of persons with #diverse disabilities to visit the #Nawagamuwa #Devalaya in March 2023.

Nawagamuwa #Pattini #Devalaya is a historic temple situated in Nawagamuwa in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Considering its importance in historical, architectural, and anthropological facets, the Archaeological Department has declared the Devalaya as a protected monument in the country.

Nawagamuwa also inherits archeological sites that date back to the BC period as per archaeological research conducted in the area. The Devalaya is popular among the masses for its miracles and to receive the blessings of the goddess Pattini.

Verifiable historical evidence about the Devalaya emerges during the Kotte period. The area was then known as Hewagam Korale, according to Rajaveliya. Excavations around the Devale from time-to-time unearthed building materials, wells, Dutch coins, and iron implements of the Middle Ages. North of the old Devalaya at what was known as the old landing place, coins used during the Dutch period in Ceylon, 1554–1765, have been found.

The major festival of the Nawagamuwa Pattini devalaya is the ‘Gonpita Perahera’ held in the month of August every year. This traditional ceremony has been conducted for the past 1500 years in honor of Goddess Pattini, to invoke blessings on the village. The villages rear white bulls exclusively to take part in the annual Perahera Festival.

 

#Manique Gunaratne

WhatsApp: 0094779571918


A large white stupa with a rounded dome and a pointed spire at the top, set against a cloudy sky. In the foreground, six women are standing with their backs to the camera, facing the stupa. Most of them are dressed in white, with one woman in a light pink outfit. Some of the women have long hair, and a few are carrying bags. They appear to be engaged in a ritual or prayer, as they are gathered closely together at a small altar or shrine built into the stupa. The area around the stupa is open and paved, with a low fence and some trees visible in the background. The overall atmosphere is calm and reverent.

A group of women, most dressed in white, are gathered around a metal stand outdoors. The stand has several circular tiers, and white cloth flags or strips are tied to it. Some of the women are in the process of tying more white cloth pieces onto the stand. The bottom tier of the stand is decorated with colorful flags in red, blue, yellow, and white, featuring text in Sinhala and Buddhist symbols such as the Dharma wheel. The background shows a stone wall, leafy green trees, and part of a building with a tiled roof. The scene appears to be part of a Buddhist ritual or offering, possibly at a temple.

A group of people dressed mostly in white clothing, standing outside a temple-like building. The women and men are holding trays with offerings, such as flowers and other items, and appear to be participating in a religious or cultural ceremony. The architecture features ornate details, with a staircase leading up to a shrine or altar area in the background. There are large, leafless trees overhead, and the sky is overcast. The overall atmosphere is calm and reverent, suggesting a special occasion or ritual.

Two women in white clothing standing barefoot in front of a metal rack filled with small clay oil lamps. The woman in the foreground is lighting one of the lamps with a flame, while the other woman looks on. The setting appears to be a temple or a place of worship, with natural light coming in from the side and trees visible outside. The women are engaged in a ritual or offering, and the atmosphere is calm and respectful. The woman in front carries a brown handbag on her shoulder.


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