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Dambulla cave temple, World heritage site |
Dambulla cave temple, World heritage site |
<ul>Dambulla cave temple, a world heritage site, (also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla) is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Dambulla cave temple is on a vast isolated rock mass towering 160 m. It was built by King Valagambahu in the 1st century BC and renovated in the 12th and 18th centuries AD by King Nissankamalla and King Kirti Sri Rajasinha.<br>
<br>There are about 80 documented caves around the temple area. The cave temple is spread over 5 caves. The ceiling of those caves decorated with colourful paintings. Dambulla cave temple has the largest collection of over 150 Buddha statues within one place.<br>
<br>The first cave is highlighted with a 14 m Buddha statue. The second cave, the largest contains 40 seated and 16 standing Buddha statues, statues of gods Saman and Vishnu, statues of Bodhisattvas Avalokiteshvara and Maitreya, and a dagoba. The ceiling of the cave is decorated with one large sweep of colourful paintings depicted scenes of Buddha’s life.<br>
<br>The third cave contains masterpieces of the Kandy style ceiling and wall paintings depicted Buddhist traditions and tales of the Buddha’s previous birth. There are 50 Buddha statues and 4 statues of the Sri Lankan King in this cave. The fourth and fifth caves are small.
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Riverston, Knuckles, world heritage site |
Riverston, Knuckles, world heritage site |
<ul><p>The knuckles Mountain Range is a conservation forest spreads across Matale and Kandy districts. Due to its remarkable resemblance to a clenched fist, the British nominated Dumbara Mountain Range as “Knuckles” at the colonial times. This mountain range consists of 34 mystic mountains that range from 900 to 1865 m.<br>
<br>The entire area is characterized by dense vegetation, cascading waterfalls, and rural villages with cultivation lands. Its’ striking landscapes often robed in thick layers of cloud resulting breath-taking sceneries. Knuckles Conservation Forest is ideal for trekking and hiking, birding and scenic photography.<br>
<br>There are 4 entry roads to reach the Knuckles mountain range. </p><p> 1. Kandy – Digana – Teldeniya – Hunnasgiriya – Ududumbara - Deanston Knuckles Conservation Centre<br> 2. Kandy – Wattegama – Panwila – Bambaraella village<br> 3. Matale – Rattota – Riverston - Knuckles Conservation Centre, Ilukkumbura<br> 4. Dambulla – Naula – Kongawawela – Laggala - Knuckles Conservation Centre, Ilukkumbura<br>
<br> From all these entry points nature trails to different locations have been started. The winding trails through 18,512 ha of dense forest, cultivated lands, and lush paddy fields offer you fresh air, the greenness of the hills, glimpses of endemic species, and breathtaking sceneries that hard to describe. No matter if you are an experienced hiker or beginner, the Knuckles Mountain Range offers you different trails from easier to toughest hiking trails in the country.<br> </p></ul> |
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Wildlife safari, Yala national park |
Wildlife safari, Yala national park |
<ul>Wildlife safari at Yala national park would be the most famous activity done by the most foreign travelers to Sri Lanka. Yala national park is located 310 km from Colombo in Hambantota and Monaragala district.<br>
<br>Yala national park comprises five blocks of which block 1 has been the most frequented due to its accessibility and the terrain of open glades. Due to its high population of wild aminals, Yala national park block 1 is the most frequented area of travelers. The small and large herds of elephants and leopards are roaming often around this area. That provides the best chance to take photographs of them in your interesting pose. The Sloth bear, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Sandbur and saltwater crocodile, and birds and turtles are frequent in Yala national park.<br>
<br>You have a 99% chance to witness those wild animals during your Yala safari.<br>
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Okanda Devalaya, Kataragama Padayathra |
Okanda Devalaya, Kataragama Padayathra |
<ul>Okanda Devalaya on a rocky outcrop near the Okanda beach close to the entrance of the Kumana national park is dedicated to Kataragama deity and his wife Valli Amma.<br>
<br>For the devotees from the Northern and Eastern coasts of the country traveling on the annual Kataragama Pada Yathra, Okanda is the last gathering point before entering the unforgiving jungles of Kumana and then Yala where they would continue their weeks-long walk towards the Kataragama Devalaya. This festival lies in the months of June and July. </ul> |
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Wildlife safari, Wilpattu national park |
Wildlife safari, Wilpattu national park |
<ul>Wilpattu national park, the largest national park in Sri Lanka is spreading across the northwest coastal lowland. It is located 188 km away from Colombo, 78 km from Kalpitiya, and 38 km from Anuradhapura. Wilpattu was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1905 and upgraded as a national park in 1938 together with Yala.<br>
<br>Due to its varying biodiversity consist of dense forest, natural lakes, coastal belt, and open grasslands provide a natural habitat for various flora and fauna. The main attraction of Wilpattu is Leopards and Sloth bears. You have the best chance to spot and photograph Leopards near natural lakes in the park during your wildlife safari. </ul> |
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Scuba diving & Snorkeling, Kalpitiya |
Scuba diving & Snorkeling, Kalpitiya |
<ul>Kalpitiya is heaven for Snorkelling and Scuba diving where you will be mesmerized by the underwater beauty. The well-protected and untouched Bar Reef marine sanctuary, the largest coral reef in Sri Lanka located 3 Km from the shore provides the best opportunity to explore the beautiful rainforest of the sea and colourful marine life unique to tropical ocean waters.
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Whales watching, Mirissa |
Whales watching, Mirissa |
<ul><p>Mirissa whales and dolphin watching is one of the must-do activity if you are traveling in the southern parts of Sri Lanka. Blue whales, the biggest creature in the world can be seen often at the season in Mirissa.</p><p><br></p></ul><table class="table table-bordered"><tbody><tr><td><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px;">Best Season</b><br></td><td><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px;">December to March </span><br></td></tr><tr><td><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Tour started at</b><br></td><td><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">6.30 -7.00 am from Mirissa Fisheries Harbour </span><br></td></tr><tr><td><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px;">Tour duration</b><br></td><td><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px;">3-5 hours</span><br></td></tr></tbody></table><ul><p>
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Bird watching, Gal Oya national park |
Bird watching, Gal Oya national park |
<ul>Gal Oya national park is blessed with a dazzling array of colourful bird species which makes it a must-see destination for birdwatchers. The island named "Bird’s Island", found within the reservoir, is a nesting place for birds.</br>
<br>The most common birds are Painted Partridge, Thick-billed flowerpecker, Crested serpent & Crested hawk eagles, Jungle bush quail, White-bellied sea eagle, Yellow-legged green pigeon, Paradise flycatcher, Ceylon frogmouth, Brown fish owl, Southern sirkeer, Scaly-bellied woodpecker, Brown-capped pygmy woodpecker, Ceylon spurfowl, Southern sirkeer, Racket-tailed drongo, Grey-headed fish eagle, Forest eagle owl, Fish owl, and Little scops owl. |
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Bird watching, Wilpattu national park |
Bird watching, Wilpattu national park |
<ul>Bird watching in Wilpattu national parks is a unique experience because the villus, the natural sand-rimmed water basins in the park provides a haven for birds. Thus bird watchers can easily access the birds. They have the chance to study and take photographs of them easily.</br>
<br>The most common birds can be seen there are Black-backed yellow woodpecker, Golden-backed woodpecker, Rufus woodpecker, White-bellied sea eagle, Grey-headed fish eagle, Crested hawk eagle, Crested serpent eagle, Brown-capped babbler, Ceylon grey hornbill, Pintail snipe, Great stone plover, Little-ringed plover, Ceylon green pigeon, Orange-breasted green pigeon, Malabar pied hornbill, Racket-tailed drongo, Forest eagle owl, brown fish owl, Hoopoe, Common kestrel, Ceylon jungle fowl, Black-tailed godwit, Ceylon frog mouth and many more. |
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Kudiramalai, Wilpattu national park |
Kudiramalai, Wilpattu national park |
<ul>At the western border of the Wilpattu national park, there is an area called “Kudiramalai”. It has a unique terrain with red-colour soil which is not found anywhere else on the island. This type of soil gives evidence to the belief of meteor falling, which has, though, not been proven.</br>
<br>The red soil and clay structures are made out of red and dark-brown earth. They are also made of rocky structures, with the blue-grey surface, studded with stunning vegetation of trees and shrubs. The vegetation holds onto their lives in the forceful wind and limestone reef on the beaches of the Kudiramalai area. The place will take you to a different world of wonder and awe.
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Pomparippu, Ancient burial ground |
Pomparippu, Ancient burial ground |
<ul> “Pomparippu” is a Mesolithic burial ground. It is located near the Kudiramalai point within the Wilpattu national park. The archeological evidence confirms that the Kudiramalai area had been populated from the Mesolithic period. Archeologists believe that the site may contain about 8,000 burial sites of remains of about 10,000-12,000 people. |
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Veddas at Nilgala |
Veddas at Nilgala |
<ul>One of the Vedda clans lives in Nilgala area near Gal Oya national park. There are about 80 Vedda families living in Nilgala. You would be able to explore and understand how hunter dwellers in Sri Lanka transform into the modern world. The Henebedde cave at the Danigala area located near Nilgala was the home for the early Henebadde Veddas clan has now been extinct. </ul> |
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Horton plains national park, World heritage site |
Horton plains national park, World heritage site |
<ul>Horton plains national park is situated 2,300 m above sea level, spreading across Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura districts, and 190 km away from Colombo, 29 km away from Nuwara Eliya, and 50 km away from Ella.<br>
<br>Maha Eliya Thenna, literary meaning in Sinhala “the great open plain,” was the original name of the area and it was renamed after Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton, the British Governor of Ceylon from 1831 to 1837.<br>
<br>It was nominated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and upgraded to a national park in 1988. Peak wilderness sanctuary adjoining the west with Horton plains national park together with Knuckles mountain range has called “the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka” is a World Heritage Site.
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Bird watching, Horton plains national park |
Bird watching, Horton plains national park |
<ul>Bird watching is very common in Horton plains national park because birds living freely everywhere in the park. The place called "Áranga pool" is the best place to spot endemic bird species of Yellow-eared Bulbul, Sri Lanka whistling thrush, Sri Lanka white-eye, Dull-blue flycatcher, and Sri Lanka bush warbler.</br>
<br>Most of the highland bird species such as Sri Lanka wood pigeon, Scaly Thrush, Spotted-winged Thrush, Sri Lanka rufous babbler, Ceylon blue magpie, Ceylon hill white-eye, Black-winged Kite, Yellow-eared Bulbul, Pied bush chat, Kashmir red-breasted flycatcher, Common buzzard, Brown baza, Black eagle, Mountain Hawk-eagle and many more can be seen in the Horton plains national park.
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Nature trail, Kirigalpotta |
Nature trail, Kirigalpotta |
<ul>Nature trails to Kirigalpotta (2,389 m), the second-highest mountains of Sri Lanka, located west of Horton plains national park is one of the best nature trails in Sri Lanka.</br>
<br>The hikers can experience all aspects of the unique and fragile eco-system of the Horton plains national park on the nature trail to Kirigalpoththa Mountain. The trail goes through areas of wet grassland, cloud forests, and scrubs at the summit. A wide variety of beautiful wildflowers and hundreds of birds can be seen during the hike. If you are lucky enough, you will be able to see wild boar, deer, and leopard.
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Nature trail, Thotupola kanda |
Nature trail, Thotupola kanda |
<ul>Thotupola Kanda 3rd highest mountain in Sri Lanka with a height of 2,357 m has located north of Horton plains national park. Nature trail to Thotupola Kanda is a fairly easy trail comparing other nature trails in Sri Lanka. It is a 4 km trail and takes about 1 hour to reach the summit. You will be able to experience the montane forest ecosystem during your hike. The surrounding view is spectacular at the summit. |
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Baker's falls, Horton plains national park |
Baker's falls, Horton plains national park |
<ul>Baker’s Fall, located inside the Horton plains national parks, originally known as Gonagala falls, was named after British explorer Sir Samuel Baker. It is 20 m in height and gives different views when you are looking at it from different angles. Baker's falls formed by the Belihuloya river, a tributary of the Walawe river. </ul> |
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Wildlife & Bird watching safari, Kumana national park |
Wildlife & Bird watching safari, Kumana national park |
<ul>Kumana national park is famous among bird watching enthusiasts. But it is full of other animals especially elephants and leopards. It is located 391 km southeast of Colombo and 37 km from Arugam Bay. Due to its contiguous with Yala national park, Kumana national park was formally known as Yala east national park. The Park is bordered by River Kumubukkan Oya on the south and the south-eastern coast on the east.<br>
<br>A 200 hectares mangrove swamp called “Kumana Villu” within the park is subject to occasional inundation with seawater is heaven for bird nesting and breeding. There are about 255 bird species recorded in Kumana. Tens of thousands of migratory birds migrate to the Kumana Villu area annually from April to July.<br>
<br>Among those recorded species Lesser whistling teal, Spot-billed pelican, Openbill, purple coot, Pheasant-tailed jacana, Common coot, Grey heron, Purple heron, Black-winged stilt, Yellow-wattled lapwing, Green shank, Jungle owlet, Black-necked & White-necked painted storks, Common & Green sandpipers, Pintail, Garganey, Common red shan, are common in the national park. </ul> |
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Magul Maha Viharaya, Lahugala |
Magul Maha Viharaya, Lahugala |
<ul>Magul Maha Viharaya in Lahugala has been identified as a Ruhunu Maha Viharaya mentioned in the inscription at the site. It is an ancient Buddhist temple constructed by King Kawantissa, ruler of Ruhunu kingdom in the 2nd century BC.</br>
<br>According to the legend it was built at the exact place where King Kawantissa's marriage ceremony with queen Viharamahadevi was held. The moonstone in this temple belongs to the 6th and 7th century AD is remarkable. Magul Maha Viharaya is located 19 km south of Arugam Bay. |
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Kudumbigala monastery |
Kudumbigala monastery |
<ul>Kudumbigala is an ancient cave monastery complex with more than 200 caves built by King Devanampiyatissa in the 2nd century BC. The hermit monks who engaged in deep meditation are characteristic of this monastery today. As a result of that Kudumbigala has a very calm and quiet spiritual atmosphere.<br>
Hike to the top of the Kudumbigala is an interesting nature walk with lots of wildlife. It is about a 2 hours hike. The view from the top is amazing. It is located inside the Kumana national park, 26 km south of Arugam Bay. </ul> |
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"Nittaewo", the lost race |
"Nittaewo", the lost race |
<ul> Cave Mahalenama was inhibited by “Nittaewo” the strange lost race in Sri Lanka. They were nearly one meter in height, hairy bodied, short, and dagger claws with great length and strength. They were reported to resemble orangutans or gorillas and were expert climbers and said to be had the ability to walk upright on the trees and caves. Cave Mahalenama is located inside the Kumana national park.
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Wildlife safari, Udawalawe national park |
Wildlife safari, Udawalawe national park |
<ul>Udawalawe national park is famous for its large herd of the Asian elephant and water buffaloes, situated 165 km from Colombo in the southeastern part of the country. The park is covered with open grassland and thorny – shrub jungle which remembering the Game Parks in Africa. Due to this landscape, Udawalawe is the best park to watch and photograph a large herd of wild Asian elephants.<br>
<br>The large scattered areas of grasslands and thorny-shrubs while tall trees close to Walawe River most favours for birdlife where Large prinia, White-browed prinia, Ashy prinia, Franklins prinia, Yellow-eyed babbler, White-throated babbler, White-rumped shama, Brown-capped babbler, Black-fronted babbler, Common & Marshall’s Iora, Ceylon grey hornbill, Blue-faced malkoha, White-necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Blyth’s Pipit, Ceylon Jungle Fowl, etc. are common. </ul> |
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Maduwanwela walawwa |
Maduwanwela walawwa |
<ul>Maduwanwela Walawwa, a country house belonged to the Maduwanwela family is a classic example of Sri Lankan architecture in the 1700s and 1800s, located 37 Km west of Udawalawe. Now it is a museum maintained by the Department of Archaeology. At the period of Maduwanwela Maha Disawe (1844 – 1930), headman of the colonial era, this mansion had 121 rooms and 21 inner courtyards. At present, there are 43 rooms left. </ul> |
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Waulpane cave |
Waulpane cave |
<ul>Waulpane limestone cave located 41 km northwest of Udawalawe contains a large number of stalactites and stalagmites estimated to be more than a million years old. Waulpane cave in accordance with its’ Sinhala literally meaning Cave of Bats, is home to approximately 500,000 bats of 6 varieties. It is possible to walk through this cave and able to explore the building process of fossils which is still continuing and exit from the other side. </ul> |
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Madunagala hot water spring |
Madunagala hot water spring |
<ul>Madunagala is famous due to its natural hot water springs, located 38 km southeast of Udawalawe. It has 4 natural hot water pools. You can have a natural hot water bath there. This hot water spring was first recorded by Leonard Woolf, Assistant Government Agent of Hambanthota in1908. </ul> |
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Sigiriya, Cycle tour |
Sigiriya, Cycle tour |
<ul>Sigiriya cycle tour would be the best option to explore all the attractions around Sigiriya by yourself. During the cycling, you will be able to find much of the beauty of the surrounding countryside of Sigiriya. </ul> |
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Sigiriya Museum |
Sigiriya Museum |
<ul>Sigiriya museum, one of its kind in Sri Lanka is an exciting, stimulating, and intellectual place to visit. There are 3 levels in the museum, to parallel the climb to the summit of the Rock. Level one is the Proto-historic gallery. The artifacts belong to that period exhibits there. The second gallery represents the Buddhist monastic period with artifacts of that time. Story of King Kasyapa exhibits in the third level. </ul> |
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Pidurangala rock |
Pidurangala rock |
<ul>Pidurangala rock is the best viewing spot of Sigiriya located adjacent to the Sigiriya rock. During the sunrise or sunset, a panoramic 360-degree view of valleys around Pidurangala rock including Sigiriya would be an absorbing scenery.<br>
<br>It is said that Pidurangala was a cave monastery during king Kasyapa’s period where he has transferred the monks in the Sigiriya monastery to Pidutangala monastery to build his citadel in Sigiriya.<br>
<br>Halfway through the hike to Pidurangala rock, you will find the Pidurangala temple where a huge reclining Buddha, lays inside.
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Wildlife safari, Wasgamuwa national park |
Wildlife safari, Wasgamuwa national park |
<ul>Wasgamuwa national park is located 77 km from Dambulla and 225 km away from Colombo. It is the best place to view elephants roaming and feeding in their natural habitat in small families or a large herd.<br>
<br>Wasgamuwa national park is consists of riverine forests and grasslands which provides the opportunity for seen Sri Lankan elephants and birds. The elephant roaming in the Mahaweli river area is called the Marsh elephant (Elephas maximus val-aliya). They are completely wild and have limited exposure to humans. Thus, their behaviour is untamed allowing you to experience how wild elephants are and how they are different from the other elephants. </ul> |
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Sembuwatta lake |
Sembuwatta lake |
<ul>Sembuwatta lake is a man-made lake adjacent to the Campbell’s lane forest reserve. It is fed by natural springs from the Elkaduwa area. The scenic beauty around the lake area is mesmerizing. It locates 22 km from Matale.
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Nalanda Gedige |
Nalanda Gedige |
<ul>Nalanda Gedige is located in the Naula area, 35 km north of Matale. It is a Buddhist Image house constructed between the 8th and 10th centuries in a South Indian Hindu architectural style.</br>
<br>A “Mituna figure” (couple) depicting an erotic scene placed among the other sculptures of the building recall our memories about the great temple at “Khajuraho” and “Konarak” in South India that extensively included such erotic figurines.
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Spice gardens, Matale |
Spice gardens, Matale |
<ul>Sri Lankan spices are world-famous. Most of them are grown and produced around the Matale area. If you visit spice gardens in Matale you will be able to see various spices and herbs in Sri Lanka. How they have grown and the production process behind them. You can also learn the best use of them to get the maximum effect.
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Bird watching, Sigiriya jungle |
Bird watching, Sigiriya jungle |
<ul>Sigiriya jungle is a designated forest reserve that covers the surroundings of Sigiriya rock. Man-made water bodies and the thick canopied forest around the Sigiriya rock. It is heaven for birdlife. Some birds you can find there are Common emerald dove, Indian blue robin, Orange-breasted green pigeon, Blue-faced malkoha, Green imperial pigeon, Brown-breasted flycatcher, White-bellied sea eagle, and many more. </ul> |
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Bird watching, Bundala national park |
Wildlife safari, Bundala national park |
<ul>Bundala national park is heaven for bird watching enthusiasts during the months from September to March. It is consists of thorny scrub, sand dunes, and five shallow brackish lagoons. The park and the adjoining Bundala saltern is harbors 197 species of birds including thousands of migrant waders during the season.</br>
<br>Bundala national park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and designated as a national park in 1993. It is located 246 km Southeast of Colombo and 16 km from Tissamaharama. Bundala national park was the first Ramsar Wetland and fourth Biosphere Reserve in Sri Lanka.
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Elephant watching, Kaudulla national park |
Elephant watching, Kaudulla national park |
<ul>Kaudulla national park is located 39 km north of Sigiriya. During the dry season, large herds of Sri Lankan elephants numbering around 150-350 are gathered to grass fields on the edges of the Kaudulla reservoir. You will be allowed to approach closer to animals at Kaudulla national park.
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Wildlife safari, Maduru Oya national park |
Wildlife safari, Maduru Oya national park |
<ul>Maduru Oya is known since ancient times due to the Maduru Oya River which is a main water stream in the area. Today it is famous for the Maduru Oya reservoir built in the 1980s under Mahaweli Development Project and the national park which also established under this project.<br>
<br>It was established in 1983 to provide refuges for displacing wild animals due to reservoir project and catchments for the reservoir. The indigenous Vedda people, Sri Lankan hunter-gathers who are living in the project area resettled in Henanigala near the national park.<br>
<br>The national park is located 255 km from Colombo and 50 km from Polonnaruwa. If you are looking for a wildlife safari in a less crowded, isolated, and tranquil place with more elephants, Maduru Oya national park would be ideal. </ul> |
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Elephants watching, Minneriya national park |
Elephants watching, Minneriya national park |
<ul>Minneriya national park is located 195 km northeast of Colombo and 30 Km from Polonnaruwa. It is the best place in the world to see a large herd of Asian elephants. It was a Wildlife Sanctuary since 1938 and designated as a national park in 1997. </ul> |
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Ancient City of Sigiriya, World heritage site |
Ancient City of Sigiriya, World heritage site |
<ul>Sigiriya was no mere fortress, gloomy and forbidding, as others are. It is one of the best-preserved ancient cities where the layout of the buildings, gardens, and pathways are still clearly evident. It displayed the collective effect of the science of town planning and water management, architecture, construction and landscaping, and arts in the 5th century AD in Sri Lanka.<br>
<br>The name “Sigiriya” literally means “Lion Rock” has a history far beyond the 5th century. Some caves in the base of the rock contained drip-edged inscriptions belongs to the 2nd century BC to 1st century AD describing the donation of those caves to Buddhist monks. History from the 1st to 4th century not clearly mentioned in the ancient chronicles.<br>
<br>However, from 477 to 495 BC, Sigiriya was in its zenith under the kingship of Kashyapa who built it as a well-planned glorious city and citadel and the political hub of Sri Lanka.<br>
<br>If you can imagine the stupendous sight of the rock that was crowned with the palaces, the marble white walls and brazen roofs and jewelled finials reflecting the blinding light of the sun, and the great mural emblazoned on the rock-face carried the maidens it depicts halfway to the clouds as though they were in truth “apsaras”, heavenly damsels, inhabitants of the sky region where the gods dwell in radiant light.<br>
<br>Since King Kashyapa’s reign was ended in 495, Sigiriya becomes a monastery and lasting until the 12th century. From the 13th century capital of the country shifted towards the southwest of the country allowing the whole Rajarata region including Sigiriya become abandoned and swallowed by the forest. Since 16th-century colonial power start arising over the country nobody interested in the Sigiriya.<br>
<br>During the colonial period in 1831, Jonathan Forbes, a Scottish officer heard about Sigiriya and decided to search it with the help of locals. After several attempts, he was able to find the surrounding gardens and the moat at the base of the rock. Finally, two British civil servants A. Y. Adams and J. Bailey were able to reach the top of the Sigiriya rock in 1853.<br>
<br>Under the leadership of H.C.P.Bell, the first Archaeological Commissioner in Ceylon, Systematic archaeological excavations have begun in 1895.<br>
<br><b>The Site</b><br>
<br>Sigiriya city and citadel has a very complex rampart system. The city was laid out in a large square area, walled with a moat in the west and a walled rectangle in the east. At the centre stood the great rock - the citadel. Within the fortifications, terrace upon terrace from wall to citadel’s foot clustered and climbed the dwelling places and ancillary buildings of a city fair as peace. To the south lay further fortified outworks.<br>
<br>At the top of the flat rock upper palace was located. At the middle-level terrace Lion gate, the mirror wall and frescoes located. Lower palaces were located behind the lower gardens, moats, and ramparts at the ground level. At the entrances, there were five gates were placed.<br>
<br>The main areas to explore at present are:<br>
<br><b>The Gardens</b><br>
<br>The Gardens of Sigiriya can be rank among the ancient gardens of the Romans such as the gardens of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The three distinct gardens of water gardens, cave and boulder gardens, and terraced gardens were linked together to form such a unique landscaped gardens in the world. Those are well preserved and can be seen as it is, even today. The most sophisticated hydraulic technologies used in the water garden were unique and most importantly some of them are still working today.<br>
<br>The Macrosystem of the water garden consists of Sigiri Maha Wewa, the man-made lake starting south of the rock, and a series of moats fed from the lake. The microsystem consists of the water control and retaining systems at the summit and horizontal and vertical drains cut into the rock and underground conduits made of cylindrical terracotta pipes at various levels.
The higher level from the water garden is Boulder Garden. Every rock and boulder had buildings of brick and timber. The pathways are winding through natural boulders. This boulder garden has interesting places to explore. Those are;<br>
<br><i><b>Cistern Rock:</b></i> that has a large cistern made of huge slabs of granite.<br>
<i><b>Audience Hall Rock:</b></i> that has a 5 m long throne carved out of the rock.<br>
<i><b>Cobra Hood Cave:</b></i> It is named due to the shape of this boulder and used by the Buddhist monks.<br>
<i><b>Preaching Rock:</b></i> The tiered platforms of this boulder are believed to be used by orating monks.<br>
<br>The Terrace Garden at the base of the rock is fashioned out of the natural hill, made with rubble retaining walls, each terrace running in a concentric circle around the rock, each rising above the other.<br>
<br><b>The Mirror Wall</b><br>
<br>On the way to Lion's Platform, a highly polished plaster wall called Mirror wall can be seen. It is believed that the wall was coated with polished lime, egg white, and honey. It still has a reflective sheen. There are nearly about 1500 items of graffiti on this mirror wall composed by the monks and pilgrims who flocked to Sigiriya from around the country during the 7th to 12th centuries. Those prose or poetry were written on varying subjects such as love, irony, and experiences, and most of them written in Sinhalese, but some are written in Sanskrit and Tamil.<br>
<br><b>Frescos</b><br>
<br>During King Kasyapa’s period, Sigiriya was decorated with hundreds of pictures of graceful female figures and appears to be a gigantic picture gallery. After King Kasyapa’s demise Sigiriya has converted into a monastery again. As a result, most of the paintings were wiped out in order to minimize the distraction for the meditation. However, a total of 21 surviving frescoes are still intact just above the mirror wall, on the way to Lion's Platform.<br>
<br>Though those are classified as the Anuradhapura era paintings, the painting style in Sigiriya is unique. It is closely resembling with Ajanta Cave paintings in India. There are two broad opinions about the identity of graceful female figures in the frescoes among the archaeologist. The first opinion is they portray human beings either queens, princesses, and maids of the court of King Kasyapa in a secular or religious ambiance. The second opinion is they portray celestial beings as either semi-divine nymphs called “apsaras” or a class of divine beings like goddesses.<br>
<br>Whatever the opinion would be, the Sigiriya frescoes, the most remarkable objects of Sri Lankan artistic heritage provide glimpses of how impressive Sigiriya at its zenith.<br>
<br><b>Lion’s Paws</b><br>
<br>While you are climbing Sigiriya you will pass the water garden, boulder garden, mirror wall, and frescoes and emerge to a platform at the northern end of the rock. At this platform, two huge paws of a lion towering against the rock can be seen. It is the only remains of the opened mouth giant brick lion where the staircase leading to the palace garden. The steps leading between the paws of the lion into his mouth. It is believed that the name Sigiriya for this rock has derived due to this gigantic figure.<br>
<br><b>Upper Palace on the Summit</b><br>
<br>The flat summit of the rock covering an area of around 1.2 hectares would have been completely covered with buildings and gardens. The remains of the foundations have confirmed that. The multi-story palace with a bathing pool on the top of a rock with the comprehensive view of reservoirs, mountains, and forests around would suggest that Sigirita was not a fortress and would have been a royal palace of pleasure. It is remembering that the modern-day rooftop pool when you see the pond scooped out of solid rock measuring 27m x 21m in size.<br>
<br>According to the foundation, the layout of the ground plan has clearly visible. The palace occupies the lower eastern sections where the palace gardens at the south. There was a large rock-cut pool covering both the palace and the garden. At the palace, there was a granite throne, dancing terraces, a small pool, drinking water tanks, rooms for concubines, a small flower garden, and precariously positioned platforms for guards, the king's audience chamber, and his anteroom. Also, there is a huge throne in a semicircle where his advisors would sit.</ul> |
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