One from my #SriLankaDiaries, this one is a capture of a beautiful tree next to the tombstones, inside the compounds of the Groote Kerk or the Dutch Reformed Church of 1755, located inside the Galle Fort, in the Southern part of the country.
After a tour of the interiors of the church, I came out to see these tombstones and the beautiful tree caught my eye. I read the epitaphs and wondered how the lives of each of these people had been. Did they live long enough or were the lives suddenly cut short? It is strange that when a loved one has been laid to rest in a cemetery the final stage of closure involves the placement of a tombstone or grave marker identifying their grave. It is here that we are given one final occasion to communicate to the world the significance of our loved one.
One cannot help but notice how the tree had added to the beauty of what would have been a bare stretch of memorials. This was indeed a beautiful place for a final rest.
Thursday Tree love is a photo feature on Parul’s blog and is hosted on 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. The next edition will be live on December 28, 2017. If you would like to play along, post a picture of a tree on your blog and link it back to her post.
If you don’t see the pingback, please leave a link to your post in her comments section. She will link your posts on her blog in the next edition and spread some love. Let’s come together to appreciate the beautiful nature around us.
Before you go, don’t forget to check the lovely trees shared on #ThursdayTreeLove – 28
oh yes! the tree has added to the beauty. Nice capture Esha
Thanks Ramya.
That’s a beautiful entry and very similar to Balaka’s entry in the previous edition. I feel trees around a tomb or grave are a symbol of life after death. Or let’s call it presence. Thank you Esha for joining!
Graveyards are so fascinating – looking at the tombstones, wondering about the lives of the people who lived and were buried there…
Absolutely, Shinjini! One tends to reflect on graveyards and it sets off a chain of thoughts on the transience of life itself.
Beautiful and respectful tree – doesnt she seem to be bowing in memory of the departed souls? Loved it, thanks 🙂
Thank you so much, Dahlia. That’s an interesting observation about the tree bowing. Never thought of that!
I wonder about epitaphs, too. Sometimes I wonder if we should write more on our gravestones. Stunning tree as well.
I love to visit historical graveyards – I’ve been to a number. I always look for the trees – some of these graveyards, such as Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia, are practically botanical gardens.
Yes, trees do add something more crucial and meaningful to such places! A botanical garden in a cemetery is truly unique and beautiful!
I always find graveyards fascinating in a spooky kind of way. Firstly the idea of being in a confined space even when I’m dead freaks me out . I love the thought of my soul set free with the final burst of the skull. And yes, trees are silent witness to so much and their branches seem to offer shelter to those lying below its canopy
They are very spooky, Sunita. I think they make
me reflect a lot!! Not a big fan of the graveyards at all!
I think reminders of death make you reflective
They sure do, Sunita! Well noted.
Last week I posted a similar photo for Tree Love Thursday.. This one is beautiful and peaceful
Haven’t checked out your post yet! We were away until Sunday. Now catching up on the previous week’s posts.
tomra ei weekened e Sri Lanka gechile?
7th night to Sunday afternoon. Joy surprise dilo because last year we had our 20th but all of us were sick with viral fever. Last year er ta ei bochor holo
Bah!! khub bhalo…chabigulo khub sundar hayeche..waiting for more
Thx re 🙂 Chobi gulo aar upload kora hoyna…
dheere dheere post by post karo
Wow ! never seen a tomb like this.. its beautiful and the place look serene and calm, may the soul rest in peace…
Thanks Angela. It is really very peaceful albeit a little eerie because of the tombstones. The church is also very pretty. Thanks for stopping by the blog, Angela.
Is it a tree growing out of a grave? Or, a body put to rest in the shade of a tree? Or, it isn’t the grave because I can see the slabs in rows along the boundary? The tree in the shade is beautiful.
The tree is standing on its own. The graves are by the side of the wall as you can see the slabs or the tombstones with epitaphs on them.
The tree would also give shade to visiting folks as they remember their loved ones. I liked the almost ‘black and white’ image that you have captured..
Thanks, Archana. Yes, the tree would also give shade to the visitors and the families of those buried if they ever came visiting some day. Who knows?