RoX SomA.tK [youth kick....]: HERITAGE

Roxsoma.tk,was one of the first sites dedicated on Promoting Sri Lankan Music in the Web. It was first started as ‘roxwap’ and is now called ‘ROXSOMA’[YOUTH KICK IN REAL LIFE].

You can find Sinhala songs from Sri Lankan Folk Songs and Classics to the Latest Sinhala POP / R &B tracks with their Lyrics,videos and some english songs....

So come and Enjoy The Sri Lankan Music Flavour…..

ROXSOMA PUBLISH ~ [[English/Sinhala mp3 Songs, Teledramas, Music videos, Music Albums, Online TV/Radio, Photos, News papers, Cricket, TV Programes, Pirith / Dharma Deshana, Games, Softwares, Astronomy, Heritage, Study A/L practicals, who is person,vesak thoran, cartoons, fun tricks.....]]

Parakramabahu the Great - Polonnaruwa

On the Southern side of the Parakrama Samudra (Polonnaruwa) is a striking stone statue of a bearded man holding in his hands what seems to be book (written on palm leaves). The care-worn expression hints at royalty and popular belief identifies it as a statue of Parakramabahu the Great.

Kelaniya Temple

The traditional Sri Lankan dagoba (from which the word "pagoda" is derived) is a hemi-spheric or bell-shaped structure of bricks and earth sitting on a square platform. At the peak of this structure is a tapering spire topped by a gilded ornament. The whole structure is usually surrounded by a walled courtyard containing statues of Buddha and his deciples, various deities, places to offer flowers, and large empty area for religious gatherings. In the same property there generally is a sacred Bo (peepul) tree as well.

Gal Vihara at Polonnaruwa

Cut from a single granite wall, the statues of Lord Buddha, at Gal Vihara (rock shrine), in Polonnaruwa, rank among the finest in Sri Lanka. The statues were carved out in 12th century A.D., and has weathered the elements remarkably un-touched. The statue shown here is that of the seated Lord Buddha.

Tirukoneswaram Kovil in Trincomalee

Trincomalee is a natural deep-water harbor, on the north-east coast of Sri Lanka. On the east side of the town of Trincomalee, on a cliff known as Swami Rock stands one of the oldest Kovils (Hindu temple) in Sri Lanka. The present day Tirukonesvaram Kovil was rebuilt on the site of the Dakshana Kailayam (temple of 100 pillars) - that was destroyed by the Portugese in the 17th century. The restoration work was completed in the 1960's, and it is a "must see" site, for the visitors to Trincomalee. Friday evening Puja (offerings) services are specially colorful.

Isurumuniya Lovers - Anuradhapura

Isurumuniya temple, in Anuradhapura, built in the 3rd century B.C. is noted for its rock carvings. The best known among these is the "Lovers". Many a poet and song writer has taken inspiration from this carving to write their masterpieces. It is believed that the carving may represent Saliya, and the low-caste maiden whom he loved. Saliya was the son of the great king Dutugamunu.

A guard stone at Thuparama - Anuradhapura

A guard stone at Thuparama, in Anuradhapura. North of the famous Ruwanveli Seya, Thuparama is considered to be the oldest dagoba in Sri Lanka and is believed to enshrine the collar bone relic of Lord Buddha. The guard stones like these are generally found in pairs at the entrance to temples, palaces and other revered sites.

City of Kandy with the lake in the foreground

Kandy, the last capital of Sinhala kings, nestled in the foothills of the Hill Country, with its beautiful lake at the center, is the center of traditional Sri Lankan Culture.
Kandy, the anglicization of the Sinhala word kande, meaning "hill" is about 1600 feet (488 meters) above sea level and is the favorite city of travelers from all over the world. The sacred tooth of Lord Buddha is preserved here in it's own temple "Dalada Maligawa" ( The temple of the Tooth ) and a replica of this holy relic is paraded around the city, on the back of the chief elephant "Raja", for two weeks every year during the month of August. Esala Perahera or the parade during the month of Esala is a spectacle not to be missed, with hundreds of brightly decorated elephants, dancers and singers from all walks of life, who turn this normally quiet small town to into one enormous festival, during those two weeks.

Aukana Buddha

This 42 1/2 feet (13 meters) high statue carved out of solid granite, goes back to the 5th century, to the reign of King Dathusena. On a rainy day, it is said, that one can see droplets of water falling off the tip of the statue's nose hitting the ground exactly between the toes.- a testament to the architectural accuracy of the sculptor. Aukana is about 32 miles south-east of Anuradhapura. Several years ago authorities decided that the modern day pollutants are taking its toll on this ancient statue and erected a brick enclosure around and above it. To this day, this remains somewhat controversial.

Ruwanveli Seya - Anuradhapura

Popularly regarded as the greatest, and certainly the most popular among the Buddhists, of the stupas at Anuradhapura, Ruwanveli Seya, is the pride of the Great Emperor Dutugamunu. Raised in the 2nd century B.C. this dagoba is supposed to have the perfect water bubble shape. There are four gate houses marking the outer walls of this magnificant structure, and within the courtyard a receantly built "elephant wall" upholds the dagoba platform. Among the many statues in the courtyard there is one that is of a larger-than-life man. This is considered to be the king himself watching his work from a respectable distance.

Sigiriya

The rock fortress Sigiriya, rises some 600 feet above the scrub jungle plain in the north central part of Sri Lanka. It is this very feature that drove young prince Kasyapa, after killing his father King Dhatusena, by entombing him alive, to this lonely rock in the jungle to hide from his older brother who was gathering an army to retake the throne. Kasyapa while in self imposed exile made his new kingdom as liveable and pleasant as possible by surrounding himself with his loyal followers, and for his personal enjoyment, what could only be described as "pinups". These frescos are to this day preserved in a grotto in the sheer west face of the rock.

The top of the rock in itself is a marvel of agro-engineering. About 3 acres in area, every square foot was utilized. Bathing pools were cut out of living rock and every drop of (rain) water was used and re-used. Sigiriya (lion's throat) was so named because the visitors had to go through the throat of a lion to get to the top of the rock.
Today Sigiriya is a bustling tourist mecca with world class hotels for the weary traveler.Fortress from the sky - sigiriya

Gems

From time immemorial Sri Lanka has had a sparkling reputation for highly treasured gems. Nature in her bounty has chosen the bosom of Sri Lanka to enshrine some of her rarest treasures. Blue Sapphires, Cat's Eyes, Alexandrites, Rubies, Star stones found embedded in layer of gravel and sand, in river beds, marshes, fields or accumulated at the foot of hills have made Sri Lanka the renowned island for gems. These precious stones perfected in the laboratory of nature lay hidden of countless ages, their luster undimmed, their value unrecognized. To read more about Sri Lanka Gems please follow this link.

o adorn the "mirror wall" of the rock fortress Sigiriya in the northern plains of Sri Lanka. Painted in brilliant colors on mirror-finished plaster wall, some believe that they are asparas, heavenly nymphs. Perhaps they were ladies of the court on their way to the temple or even ancient "pinups" for the entertainment of the lonesome young ruler. Painted during the reign of King Kasyapa in the fifth century (A.D.), these frescoes have retained their brilliant colors until this day, protected from the sun, wind, and rain by the overhanging rock. Accompanying these frescoes are graffiti left by the ancient visitors, that are considered to be some 1,000 or more, years old. Although these speak of "five hundred damsels", today there are only eighteen to be seen. Note: Some 30 years ago, in 1967, vandals succeeded in obliterating several of these priceless frescoes, but with the help of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. they were restored to their former splendor.

A Faberge' elephant?. No, not quite. Exquisite enough to be one though. This gem and jewelry adorned ivory carving is a part of a collection of gems and jewelry at one of the biggest gem merchants in Sri Lanka. Carving Ivory into intricate and exquisite objects has a long history in south-east Asia, where ivory was abundant at one time before the invading forces from the West discovered the mysterious East. The kings and queens in that part of the world always encouraged art, and artisans, jewelry makers, and painters among other various craftsmen were part of the Royal Entourage. They were provided with a livelihood free of day-to-day worries, so that they can spend their full time and effort to do what they were good at. This may have been the start of the Caste system that was prevalent in countries like India and Sri Lanka until mass communication and mass transport made intermixing between the various castes possible, and thus the end of the system.

This carving appears to be that of Raja, the head elephant of Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, carrying the sacred tooth relic on its back during the Esala Perahara.

Wood panel from an old door ... Lion has always been revered in Sri Lankan lore. After all, the major race in Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese , are supposed to be descendants of a lion. (Sinha, lion and le', blood in Sinhala, the language of the majority of the people). The lion is also prominently displayed on the flag of Sri Lanka.

This wood carving of a lion, possibly part of a set, looks well aged from the appearance, and the fine patina that it has acquired.

Most likely places to see native hardwood (teak, mahogany, ebony) panels like these are the old Buddhist temples, and some of the old mansions that belong to some of the established families in the country.

Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya houses a series of painted murals depicting several episodes in the life of the Gautama Buddha. The largest of the murals - a full 6 metres by 14 metres, is a single unified composition depicting 13 episodes in the life of the prince, from early childhood up to the time of his enlightenment. These include Siddhartha's education in music and the arts; his training as a young warrior in the martial arts, archery and swordsmanship, his marriage ceremony, his indulgence in sensual pleasures, his experiences traveling outside the place grounds (where the young prince witnessed the suffering that encountered him to seek a way to end all suffering), his association with hermits, ascetics and philosophers, and finally, his achievement of nirvana.