This event was organised as a part of “The “36” Annual Photowalk” international initiative on April 23, 2017, by @PaulP. The places we selected are historical and some buildings were over 2000 years old.
The event was planned to start at 8.00 am, but we shared around 8.30 am. A brief introduction was given at the start regarding the concept of this event and we started shooting from the entrance of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. In the beginning, there were three participants.
Since April 23, 2017 was a Sunday, there were lots of pilgrims at all the places. We divided into two groups and started photographing at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodiya. Each one of us captured photos from different angles, and we tried to capture the cultural events around the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
After some time Duminda joined us he was using a mobile phone to capture photos. He was busy with taking photos in different angles. He was born in 1990, and they were not aware of the 36 film roles. We discussed this, and I asked him to take only 36 photos.
Then Vijai joined us she was more interested in capturing the cultural events around the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
@TraciC @Corrie @LucioV @ErmesT @ShafiulB @MahabubH Do you have beliefs like this in your societies?
We took some photos there and then we moved to the Lovamahapaya area. A steel fence surrounded it, and we could not go inside.
Then we found few historical places nearby which are not added to the Google Maps, and we added those locations to the map.
Then we moved to the Ruwanweliseya and took some photos in different angles. There also some historical landmarks which are not on the map. We added them to the map, and The Great Alms Hall was a very special place because it has provided meals for 3000 monks. The stone rice boat is a very large one.
We were lucky Chandima was with us. He is a lecturer at Department of Archaeology and Heritage Management at the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. He showed us some infamous places around the Ruwanweliseya. The tomb of the Kalu Banda was a one of the most important monument. Every day thousands of pilgrims and tourist pass this place without knowing it. It was the tomb of the provincial leader who looks after the sacred city of Anuradhapura, and he had lots of power. His family was looking after the Anuradhapura Sacred City for centuries. This place was not on the Google maps, and we added it.
Then he showed a lavatory used by the monks during the Anuradhapura. The carving on that lavatory was very beautiful even after the centuries of weathering. Since there is no place name, we could not add it to the Google Maps.
Finally, he showed the Key Pond, a pound in a “Key” shape. It was not on the map, and we added it.
Then we came to over destination, the Thuparamaya, it is the first Dagaba built in Sri Lanka about 2250 years ago. We added few photos of it to Google Maps. Duminda took some beautiful photos from his mobile. We were amazed to see how a cell phone can be used to take some beautiful pictures.
Then, we enjoyed a fresh orange juice and Beli Mal water from a street vendor.
While we were having drinks, we planned for two meetups at Anuradhapura next month. One will be a knowledge sharing session for research officer of Central Cultural Fund on adding archaeological sites to Google Maps. The other one will be a lecture on recording heritage using Google Maps and a Map editing session.
Finally, we had our lunch at Anuradhapura on a lotus leaves, which was very delicious.
For more event photos, please visit this Google Photos Album.
The 36 photos by Anuradha, please visit this Google Plus Album. This album is on the "The 36 Photowalk - 2017" collection.
@PaulP Have a look at our meetup recap.
Lovely photos and I loved the meal in lotus leaves. Thanks for sharing!