33 crores of Gods

We have heard that 33 crores of Gods resides in this world and protect the
globe. Although that belief exists with the Buddhists, worshiping God is
mostly done by Hindus. Among them, there are Gods who are worshipped by both Buddhists and Hindus. Although they are believing, a great person
becomes a God, Gods can be found popular to a particular region in Sri Lanka as well as India.

The God Ayiyappa

The God Ayiyappa, who initiates our conversation , is one of the Gods who
has been honored by people belongs to a particular region in the past. But
now the belief in God Ayiyappa is not limited just to one area. Devotees
throughout the world have been created to receive blessing from God
Ayiyappa. So, in the recent history, God Ayiyappa has granted a special
place as a respected God of the people.

The Ayiyappa kovil

The God Ayiyappa or Ayiyappan was a prince who lived in state of Kerala in
India. The main kovil of God Ayiyappa is also in Kerala. It is now widely
seen Sri Lanka that a large number of devotees visit the Kerala each year.
There is also a kovil which is constructed for God Ayiyappa in Sri Lanka.
That is in Trincomalee. There are many Hindu kovils built in Trincomalee,
where many Hindus live. Many of these kovils, built for various deities are
older than many centuries. But the Ayiyappa kovil was built about six years
ago. As mentioned earlier, God Ayiyappa has become more popular in the
world recently. Although the history of the kovil is not old, the number of
devotees attending the Trincomalee Ayiyappa kovil is very large.

The folklore on God Ayiyappa

The story of God Ayiyappa is very wonderful. King Rajshekar, who ruled in India was very distressed because he had no child. Thus, Oneday these
distressed king and queen found a little child who was dressed in gold. The
king and the queen decided to take care of this child as their son.
According to the legends the child belonged to Lord Shiva and Mohini. The
child was gifted to the royal family according to a decision of Lord Shiva.
The child was named as Manikanthan as he was wearing in gold when the time thet meet the child. However, when this prince was brought up with the love of the royal family, another prince joined the royal family. So, the queen had decided to kill prince Manikanthan with the intention that his real son should be the king. She had planned this with the king’s chief minister.According to the plan, the queen was made up of a rare stomach ache. The royal doctors decided that the milk of a living tiger in the wild needed to heal. The prince Manikanthan was willing to take the milk even the king wasn’t approved. The prince had managed to bring milk by defeating a tiger. With the return of the prince, the plan of the queen failed and the prince became famous among the people. After hearing the conspiracy of the queen, the prince abandoned his sovereign will and he went to have a meditative life. From the age of 16 until his death, the prince was counted to receive meditation. According to Hindu folklore, this prince Manikanthan has become the God Ayiyappa. The Shakrimala kovil in Kerala has been built in this place where this prince defeated the tiger. The Hindus believe that the God Ayiyappa does not like women. Although the women in India are allowed to visit there Ayiyappa kovil, women in Sri Lanka have no permission to visit Ayiyappa kovil.

How to get there

The Ayiyappa kovil is situated in Nilaveli in Trincomalee. When we travel
from Trincomalee, we find a kovil in blue in the left, just few miles away
from Nilaveli Junction. That is Ayiyappa kovil. As its doors are opened
only in the morning, it is wise to approach there in the morning.

Pani Waraka

If you come to Sri Lanka, do not miss the strangest delicious food that you
have in here. Because in this paradise there are many amazing food that
cannot be found anywhere in the world. Perhaps you have not seen this food although you have come to Sri Lanka.

When the next time you come to Sri Lanka, leave a message to Story of
Ceylon. So we can prepare these food to you all. All right, this is about
‘Pani waraka’.

Pani waraka is not a common dish. But in Sri Lanka, ‘Waraka’ and ‘Wala’ are essential. But among them ‘Pani waraka ‘ is rare to find.

Jak is a common dish found in Sri Lanka. Every home there is a jak tree.
The jak tree is called ‘ Rice tree’ because Sri Lankans eat jak instead of
rice. It is also a delicious food.

We can rarely find ‘ Pani waraka’ among these jak trees. Generally, the
ripped jak is called ‘Waraka’. But the colour and the taste of Pani waraka
is comparatively different. Waraka is usually yellow in colour but Pani
waraka is orange in colour. And they contain honey inside.

We cannot write the taste of Pani waraka in words because words cannot
explain the taste of a food. So, you have to taste it when you visit Sri
Lanka. Inform us if you want. Can you remember the name? This is called
Pani Waraka.

Manganai beach

If you go to Trincomalee and find for a snorkeling, the answer will be Nilaveli. Nilaveli is the most popular beach in Trincomalee. As such, not only local tourists, but foreign tourists also fill the Nilaveli coast. There are many tourist accommodations for such tourists in the surrounding town. Marble Beach is also one of the most popular beaches in Trincomalee. Marble Beach is very popular among the tourists today.

Distinctive features of Manganai beach

Nilaveli and Marble Beach do not match for those who hope to spend much time on the coast with his family. But recently we met a beach situated in Trincomalee which is very quiet, free, isolated, beautiful, not much popular and not very busy. That is Manganai beach. This is also known as the Adakkupara beach. The distinctive feature of this place is not just the freedom. The speed of the waves which reach the Manganai coast is also relatively low. It is due to a beautiful natural reef stone that is located not far from the coast. Because of the reef, the waves reach the coast very slowly. So, we can spend our free time with the little ones without any fear. The other thing that increases the value of this beach is the shrubber on the shore. These bushes have grown as a natural tent, where a small family can have their meals together.

How to get to Manganai

That is enough about the beach, because you can see more when you visit there. Now, let me tell you the way you can reach there. On the way you travel from Nilaveli to Trincomalee, you will find a road to the Salli kovil on the left. It is not hard to find it  because ,the name ‘Salli kovil’ is written in large letters on a board. If you want to visit Salli kovil, you have to go along that path and have to turn left. But, to go to Manganai , we have to go straight along the road. Also the well known Muththukumari Amman kovil is located in the way to Manganai. Therefore , the journey to Manganai will be completed, if you visit both Muththukumari Amman kovil and the Salli kovil. Now you may think what this Salli kovil is. So, I will tell you about it. Do not get a wrong idea when you hear the name. That name has come with the location of it. Its real name is Salli Amman kovil. But, the villagers use as Salli kovil for their easy usage.

Have a visit

However the confident in faith is, visit these two kovils on your way to Manganai, because both Salli kovil and Muththukumari Amman kovil are located in a beautiful place near the coast.

Also Look

Shanisharan Saturn kovil in Sri Lanka