Rangamani belched heavily after a tasty breakfast with idiyappam, coconut sambal, and fresh cut-fruits. The service personnel – who was cleaning the swimming pool – stumbled and fell inside the pool. Unaware of that, Ranga started to thrust the bread slices into the oval-shaped-aperture of his face!

Thangamani wondered, if his face resembled Hanuman’s, when he chewed some part of the bread by keeping the remaining parts of the break on both sides of the cheeks. Eventually the backlogs of bread stored in his container-cheeks were processed, followed by juice or water. Day 7 – 10 Jun 2019, began like that.

The hotel was located close to the Yala National Park and the Kathirkamam (Kataragama) Kandan Temple. Usually some of the Indians will pack and take away the free breakfast provided at the hotel. Air India crew takes away buffet food in boxes, said UK hotel. Do not do it in India and abroad. It is not allowed.

Thangamani requested the Chandrika hotel staff to pack some Idiappam and coconut sambal for their younger kid Bunga. She was not sure if the Bunga would get suitable food that day. They did not hesitate. They packed immediately. They refused to accept payment, although Rangamani insisted. So Rangamani and Thangamani want to express their gratitude once again. The packed food helped the kid during their long travel from Kathirkamam to Galle.

Thangamani was the devotee of all Gods. She had special reservations for the infant Kandan (Baby Murugan). The previous evening, Rangamani told her that the Kathirkamam temple was just 20 KMs away.

The couple appealed to Tushara to see if his company could amend their travel itinerary to include that one also. He spoke to his management and they too agreed. Ranga asked about the variation in the cost. However, Blue Lanka Tours has offered it at no cost. Thanks to Tushara, Prameela and the management of Blue Lanka Tours.

Thangamani was overwhelmed. She said “It is the Sri Lankan Kandan had ordered us to visit him.”

Indians must visit is Kathirkamam. Although this temple is small, it is a beautiful and ancient temple. You can not see the thirumeni (idol) of Lord Murugan. You may see the screen with the glittering image of Kandan. The priest will perform rites / pujas on its behind. “People can only see the main deity once a year” Tushara mentioned.

The impact of Buddhism was evident there. The rituals alienated them. There is a temple in Singapore that follows Sri Lankan Tamil type of worshipping. It would be classic. The worshipping method at Kathirkamam looks to be non-native. There was a shrine for the Buddha. Vishnu and Brahma were the guardian deities there. We saw this in Kandy too. (See: Buddha Tooth Temple Kandy). With the divine kingini sound of the bells, the puja gave Thangamani immense pleasure. The pumpkin sambar rice – the prasadam – gave Rangamani the enlightenment.

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