Authenticities Newsletter Volume 3 - March 2014 issue
Dear Partners,
Warm welcome to the world of Authenticities Sri Lanka!!
Our quarterly newsletter - Volume 3 coincides with our first year Anniversary. Here we look back at our humble beginnings and look forward to the colourful events which unfold in the next few months.
When we were thinking of venturing on our own - the Million Dollar question was, are we going to do the same what we have done for decades or do we reinvent ourselves with fresh ideas. The answer was quite spontaneous - we will reinvent our selves, we will unlearn. Today’s success is the philosophy we have shared from the very humble beginnings. We would like to invite our travellers to enjoy the pleasures of finding our roots, rich culture & heritage - kind of opening up the awareness about the explosive flavours and emotions this country has to offer.
Now that we have reached our first anniversary, we can proudly say - this company has great bones, meaning it has great systems & timeless designs / emotions. It has people who thought about the workspace that makes it workable and efficient today. It had lot of first in the early days. It conquered a new territory. It carved out a new niche. We have surpassed a very important landmark & the company has evolved. It has continued to get better so it has good bones to grow on.
To sum it up another way, Travel is not a piece of artwork, you can’t create it and dust it off and continue to enjoy it. It has to constantly be reinvented. This is where we are very proud of our team, who has given every thing. Their passion, hard work & commitment to the cause is laudable.
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We would like to think of all our partners around the world & thank
them
wholeheartedly
for
the
faith
&
trust
bestowed on us, we would like to thank all our hotel partners, transports suppliers, National guides & chauffeur guides for the unconditional support extended to us.
All of them most certainly have been a great inspiration to us.
Many happy more years ahead !!!
Shanitha Fernando President
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LAND OF FESTIVALS & COLOURS Sinhala & Hindu New Year The cry of the Koel (Koha) announces the dawn of the traditional Sinhalese and Tamil New Year – Aluth Avuruda. When the sun centers right above Sri Lanka while in the process of moving from the house of Pisces (Meena Rashiya) to the house of Aries (Mesha Rashiya) in the celestial sphere, Sri Lankans begin to celebrate the dawn of the New Year. The New Year is celebrated annually on the 13th till the 14th of April. Where drums blare and crackers are lit – a beautiful and colorful atmosphere where joy and happiness is spread all around the island.
Sinhala and Tamil traditions and customs are carried out by families, commencing with the first task of lighting the hearth according to the auspicious time and boiling milk in a new pot till it overflows. Suburban families use this milk to make milk rice with what they obtain from their paddy harvests – wishing for a prosperous year and believing that there won’t be a food shortage in the house hold. Following the lighting of the hearth, there are many customs that follow through. The New Year is a celebration of family and unity – respecting elders and appreciating the women (Mother) in the family.
If you are travelling in Sri Lanka during this time, you will notice traditional Avurudhu games organized in every city. And if you are offered sweets, it is a normal gesture of sharing happiness.
Vesak Vesak poya is celebrated in the month of May with many religious activities by Buddhist all around the world. This holy day commemorates
the
Triple
anniversary
-
Birth,
Supreme
Enlightenment and Pirinibbana (Death) of the Sakyamuni Siddhartha Gautama - The Buddha. On this day, temples are filled with devotees who observe Sil and engage in Bodhi Poojas,
which
are
religious
acts
Buddhists
have
been
performing since ancient times. Many devotees decorate their homes, streets and other public places with colorful
lanterns and pandols (also known as Thoran) sharing
happiness and beauty with one
another. Many engage in singing Vesak devotional songs (Bakthi Gee) and organizing Dansal – an act of generosity – offering free food/drinks to people. The city of Colombo will be very colourful during this time filled with Giant Pandols, Colourful Lanterns & Buckets and colourful decorations, which is simply breathtaking.
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Poson Held on the full moon day of June, celebrates the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century. Arahat Mahinda, son of the great emperor Asoka, established the dispensation of the Buddha (Buddhasasana) by converting King Devanampiyatissa and his court to Buddhism. His first sermon was preached on top of Mihintale – a city located in the great ancient city of Anuradhapura – making Sri Lanka the home of Theravada Buddhism.
Large crowds of pilgrims flock to the ancient city on Poson Poya to visit the cradle of Buddhism – Mihintale. Many religious ceremonies are held in Anuradhapura and in almost all parts of the island. Just like Vesak Poya, the streets and homes are decorated by devotees with colorful handmade paper lanterns and pandals portraying the previous lives of Buddha and his many occurrences. Dhansal campaigns are held on streets offering refreshments and meals to people as an act of joy and peace.
Featured Article Mihintale (The Cradle of Buddhism) Located 13km east of the ancient city of Anuradhapura – the mountain peak Mihintale is believed to be the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. In 247 BC on a full moon day on the month of June (Poson), Arahath Mahinda Mahathera preached his first sermon to King Devanampiyatissa. Hence why named, Mihintale - which means the “plateau of Mihindu”. The great king and his court converted into Buddhism and soon the country embraced Buddhism as the state religion.
Every year pilgrims visit Mihintale and Anuradhapura to worship the ‘Mahindagamanaya’. Mihintale then served as a residential area for the venerable monks that followed Arahath Mahinda. Over the years great kings constructed the square with beautiful shrines, stupas and caves. There are 68 cave dwellings in the vicinity, which provided the monks shade and shelter. The 1,840 rock cut steps that lead to summit is a significant construction. This impressive staircase is laid out between ever green woods and flower trees that make the climb a unique experience.
Araliya trees blossom all throughout the year giving fragrant and shelter to the pilgrims that proceed along to the hilltop. There are many other momentous sites that is located in the city of Mihintale, such as the Vedahala – the hospital located in the bottom of the mountain, Aradhana Gala, Sinha Pokuna and Kaludiya Pokuna etc.
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Featured Partners Leopard Trails – Yala Situated on the border of the Yala National Park, Leopard Trails is a
Campsite,
which
gives
you
the
true
Mobile
Camping
Experience. The campsite is closer to the Katagamuwa Gate, one of the entrances to the Park. This area is less touristic compared to the main entrance to Yala, which often has very high traffic.
Leopard Trails is known for its wonderful hospitality, and the team, who will make your stay memorable.
On arrival, you will be welcomed and greeted by their wellexperienced Game Rangers Aeron, Jerome & Indika who will show you around the campsite and introduce you to the rest of the team. While you are at Leopard trails, you are sure to encounter great wildlife with the company of the expert rangers. Their knowledge and animal tracking ability will no doubt aid you witness the best of the Jungle. While you are at camp, there are plenty of activities which can be arranged, such as Nature walks, Game Drives, Cooking Demonstrations, etc.
The Sundown Campfire hosted by the team along with spirits and great food prepared by one of the camp Managers, “Pani” is definitely something to look forward to!
Currently the preparation work for their 2nd Campsite, which will be in Wilpattu, is underway. Wilpattu is the largest National Park in Sri Lanka, which is situated in the North-West parts of the Island. The campsite will be open for guests from May 2014, and we are excited about this project.
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Tamarind Hill - Galle The shores of Sri Lanka drew traders from around the world for hundreds of years in search of gems, spices and other treasured items. Through these periods the island accumulated some of its finest architecture and style in living.
Tamarind Hill, Galle is a manor house that was built over 250 years ago by Don Johannes Amarasiri, a wealthy Sri Lankan aristocrat. This home gained most prominence when it was subsequently the official residence of the British Admiral of the Peninsular and Orient Steam Navigation Company – the famed ‘P&O Line’. Through the years Tamarind Hill has stood as a symbol of nobility. Today, Tamarind Hill is a colonial style luxury boutique hotel.
In the World Heritage City of Galle where colonial buildings seamlessly stretch from one street to another, Tamarind Hill shines out as one of the most illustrious of its time.
Authenticities (Pvt) Ltd 380/101, Sarana Road, Colombo 7 | Sri Lanka T : +94 112 680 999, +94 112 680 666, +94 112 680 666 F : +94 112 680 111 E : info@authenticitiessrilanka.com
w.authenticitiessrilanka.com
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