DD/24/177 Madurya

Sigiriya is a magnificent ancient rock fortress in Sri Lanka. It was built in the 5th century by King Kasyapa. The king chose a massive 200-meter-high rock for his palace. He wanted a safe and grand capital. The climb to the top is an amazing experience. First, you see the beautiful Water Gardens. Then, you reach the famous Mirror Wall. It was once so polished that the king could see his reflection. Next, you see the stunning Sigiriya Frescoes. These are ancient paintings of heavenly maidens. Finally, you climb the last steps to the summit. The view from the top is breathtaking. You can see the green forests all around. The ruins of the palace are still there. It shows the great skill of ancient builders. Today, Sigiriya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of Sri Lanka's most famous landmarks. Sigiriya tells a story of power, art, and amazing ancient engineering. It is a must-visit place for anyone.

 That day was an unforgettable, special day in my life. With the help of my teacher and my parents, I was able to successfully complete it that day. Furthermore, my sisters, who performed alongside me with such skill, had also practiced and trained hard for many months. We were together like sisters, closer even than friends. It was like I had gained a new family. From the day before the ceremony, all of us stayed at the temple and observed the religious rites and rituals. On the day of the ceremony, we woke up early in the morning, put on the relevant dance costumes, and did our makeup. Afterwards, the Pahinhapatha was performed at the auspicious time. The most special thing was that it was my mother who performed the Pahinhapatha ceremony for me. Since my mother has also studied dance further, that moment rightfully belonged to her. Afterwards, the relevant rituals were performed and the moment arrived for us to display our skills. We all displayed our talents just as we had pr...

 The sun rises in a pink and gold sky. It warms the quiet world. Green leaves dance in a gentle wind. They make a soft, rustling sound. A river follows a curving path. Its water is clear and cool over smooth stones. Flowers open their bright faces. They nod to the busy bees. Mountains wear caps of white snow. They stand guard over the green valleys below. The night is a deep, dark blue. The moon and stars are its only lights. Rain falls in a steady rhythm. It feeds the earth and fills the air with a clean smell. Every part of nature has its own quiet song. It is a song of peace and simple beauty.

The hero of my life is my mother. Her name is Sunethra Kumari. She is 45 years old. Currently, she works as a teacher at the village school. She is a very simple and humble person. On numerous occasions, she has mentioned that from a young age she pursued her studies amidst various hardships and that her sole desire was to make her life a success despite those challenges. I see her as a very strong woman who successfully conquered life in the face of economic difficulties. My mother put in a lot of effort for me to succeed in life. My only wish too was to be successful in my future, just like her. Looking at her life, I promise myself today that I too will overcome any obstacles and succeed in my life. Moving forward, you are and will always be my only hero.