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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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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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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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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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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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Bird watching, Adam's bridge marine national park |
Bird watching, Adam's bridge marine national park |
<ul>The sea of the Sri Lankan section of Adam’s Bridge is shallow. The maritime biodiversity is very high and marine mammals such as Dolphins, Whales, and Dugong can be seen. The diversity of fish is also very high. Therefore the area was declared as a Marine national park and is the only Trans Boundary national park in Sri Lanka.<br>
<br>Many migratory birds follow the route via Adam’s Bridge and Mannar Island when flying to and from Sri Lanka. This region is rich with sea grasslands and the eggs and chicks can be seen lying on some spots on the sand dunes when exploring this area. The migratory bird season from December to march plant of migratory birds can be seen at patch reefs of Adam's bridge. <br>
<br>The most common birds in the park are Caspian tern, Little tern, Large crested tern, Gull-billed tern, Whiskered and Common terns, and many more. </ul> |
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Bird watching, Vankalai sanctuary |
Bird watching, Vankalai sanctuary |
<p>Vankalai wildlife sanctuary, partly a wetland comprises the strips of land on either side of the causeway connecting the island of Mannar to the mainland, Pallimunai, Puliyantivu island, Tiruketiswaram, and Vankalai. It was the fourth Ramsar wetland in the country.</p><p><br></p><p>There are about 150 resident bird species and more than 1000 migratory bird species have been recorded in the sanctuary.</p><p><br></p><p>Most common birds are Indian spot-billed duck, Eurasian wigeon, Avocet, Common teal, Northern shoveller, Pintail, Gargany, Greater flamingo, Crab plover, Oystercatcher, Red knot, Great knot, Ruff, Lesser crested tern, Caspian tern, Little tern, Heuglin’s gull, and many more.</p> |
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Lighthouse, Talaimannar |
Lighthouse, Talaimannar |
<p>Old lighthouse in Thalaimannar known as the Urumalai lighthouse was located in the area called Urumalai and only the iron structure remains. The new Talaimannar lighthouse situated near the Talaimannar pier where an A 14 highway and railway line gets ends together.<br></p> |
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Mannar Fort |
Mannar Fort |
<ul>Mannar Fort was first built by the Portuguese in 1560 and rebuilt by the Dutch in 1658. It is a square-shaped fort with 4 bastions ringed by a moat and its ramparts. It is located side of the Mannar bridge. |
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Madu Church |
Madu Church |
<ul>Madu church is home to the statue of Our Lady of Madu, located 50 km south-east of Mannar. It was built in 1876. The remote village of Madu has been sacred to Buddhists and Hindus also due to the Pattini Devale shrine. That was built in the period of 114 – 136 AD.
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Mannar, Ketheeswaram temple |
Mannar, Ketheeswaram temple |
<ul>Ketheeswaram temple or Thirukketeeswaram Kovil is located 10 km east of Mannar town. It is one of the five historical Sri Lankan Shiva temples. It is said that this temple was established to protect the island from a natural disaster in the post-classical period. |
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Baobab tree, Mannar |
Baobab tree, Mannar |
<ul>An ancient Baobab tree believed to be planted by Arab traders who came for pearl trading over 700 years is still in live at Mannar.<br>
<br>The world's largest natural pearl bank was located in shallow seas around Mannar. It supplied massive amounts of natural pearls to the world over 2000 years. That was destroyed by the colonial rulers in the late 19th century due to over-harvesting. </ul> |
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Doric Bungalow, Arippu |
Doric Bungalow, Arippu |
<ul>Dorick bungalow was the residence of Frederick North, the first British Governor of Ceylon. He used to stay there on his visit to Mannar to supervise the pearl fishing. It is located in Arippu 38 km south of Mannar. |
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Jaffna Fort |
Jaffna Fort |
<ul>Jaffna Fort built by the Portuguese in 1618 and expanded by the Dutch in 1658 and was taken over by the British and remained as garrison till 1948. Fort included Governor's residence (King's House), Queen’s house, Kruys Church, the Garrison parade ground, and several other buildings from the Portuguese era. </ul> |
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Nilavarai well |
Nilavarai well |
<ul> Nilavarai well, natural underground water well is said to be bottomless which never gets depleted located at Nilavarai, 13 km away from Jaffna. There is a belief that this Nilavarai well was created by King Rama according to the Ramayana. |
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Buddhist stupas, Kantarodai |
Buddhist stupas, Kantarodai |
<ul>The stupas discovered at Kantarodai are a series of votive monuments. It is located 13 km away from Jaffna near Chunnakam railway station. According to the chronicles, this site could be identified as the ancient Kadurugoda Buddhist Temple situated in northern Sri Lanka. |
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Nagadeepa temple, Nagapooshani amman kovil |
Nagadeepa temple, Nagapooshani amman kovil |
<ul>Nagadeepa or Nainativu is one of the smallest inhabited islands in the country. Nainativu is the 4 island on the Palk Strait towards India. The first three, Kayts, Karaitivu, and Punkudutiv join up with the mainland by causeways. A ferry service started at the Kurikadduwan jetty on Punkudutivu Island for Nainativu every 30 minutes.<br>
<br>The Buddhist and the Hindu temples on the island venerated by Buddhists and Hindus, the most. Nagadeepa is the place where Lord Buddha came during his second visit to Sri Lanka. Therefore Nagadeepa temple is one holiest Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka. The Nagapooshani Amman kovil in Nainativu is one of 64 Shakthi Peethams, a shrine dedicated to Shakthi, the Hindu goddess of power.</ul> |
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Delft Island |
Delft Island |
<ul>Delft Island is about 35 km away from the Jaffna mainland. The whole island was based on coral and limestone. The roots of Portuguese and Dutch occupancy on the island are more prominent. The Delft Island Fort, Hospital, Castle, Horse breeding centre, and Pigeon houses with a stone cote are among the archaeological remains of the colonial period.<br>
<br>The ancient Buddhist ruins can also be seen on the island. Three inscriptions belong to the 1st and 2nd century and 14th and 15th century are being discovered recently.<br>
<br>Delft Island horses, believed to descend from horses kept on the island from the time of Portuguese occupancy are significant on the island. Part of Delft Island is nominated as Delft Island national park to provide sanctuary for those 450 odd Delft Island horses. </ul> |
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Nilaveli beach |
Nilaveli beach |
<ul>Nilaveli beach is one of the best in Sri Lanka undoubtedly. It is a quiet and relaxed beach located 16 km north of Trincomalee. White sandy beach with gentle surf and plenty of bending palms swaying over is heaven for rest and relaxation. From the Nilaveli beach, about 2 km into the sea Pigeon Island is located. |
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Pigeon Island |
Pigeon Island |
<ul>Pigeon Island one of the highly diverse, ecologically important reef habitats in the country. It is located 15 km from Trincomalee and 10 minutes Boat ride. Pigeon Island consists of two islands with rock outcrops, colonized by the rock Pigeons. The islands and the surrounding reef area has given the status of Marine National Park due to their high biodiversity. </ul> |
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Lovers' leap, Swami rock |
Lovers' leap, Swami rock |
<ul>Lovers’ leap or Ravana’s cleft at Swami rock is a rock cleft approximately 106.68 m above sea level. It is a stunning place to be, at sunrise. You can spend hours looking at the lovely ocean ahead.<br>
<br>The colonial period story says that Francina van Reed, a daughter of a Dutch officer was thrown herself into the sea off from this cliff and prompted to suicide because her love affair was broken and the lover sails back to Europe. </ul> |
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Snorkeling and Scuba diving, Pigeon Island, Coral Island |
Snorkeling and Scuba diving, Pigeon Island , Coral Island |
<ul>Pigeon Island marine national park contains one of the best remaining coral reefs of Sri Lanka. Reef's environment undersea in the area is an amazing natural and charming treasure. It is home to dozens of beautiful corals and hundreds of exotic marine species. Thus, it is a stunning place for scuba diving and snorkeling.</br>
<br>A few kilometers north of Nilaveli, there is another island called Coral Island which unlike Pigeon Island cannot be landed on, but which has a well-preserved reef containing the beautiful cabbage coral and a marvelous variety of dazzling tropical fish. Coral Island has considered the best snorkeling site in Sri Lanka by many snorkeling enthusiasts.
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Whales watching Trincomalee |
Whales watching Trincomalee |
<ul><p>Trincomalee is an internationally important whale-watching destination. Specially Blue whales and Spinner Dolphins but smaller numbers of sperm whales too. They can be seen regularly around 6 to 8 nautical miles, just 30 minutes boat ride to the east of Trincomalee from April to August. The base of the Kandasamy Kovil is considered to be the greatest vantage point for whale watching in the world.
</p><p><br></p></ul><table class="table table-bordered"><tbody><tr><td><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px;"><b>Best Season</b></span><br></td><td><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px;">March - April, and August - September</span><br></td></tr><tr><td><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>Tour started at</b></span><br></td><td><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">6.00 am from Nilaveli</span><br></td></tr><tr><td><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px;"><b>Tour duration</b></span><br></td><td><p>3 hours<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">3 hours</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px;"></span><br></p></td></tr></tbody></table> |
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Fort Frederick, Trincomalee |
Fort Frederick, Trincomalee |
<ul>Fort Frederick was first built by the Portuguese in 1624 and then by Dutch in 1665. It was built on Swami rock. Maritime & Naval History Museum is presently located within Fort Frederick. That is displaying Sri Lankan naval history back to Marco Polo's time and information about east coast flora and fauna. </ul> |
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Girihadu seya, Vatadage, Tiriyaya |
Girihadu seya, Vatadage, Tiriyaya |
<ul>Girihadu seya is an ancient Buddhist temple with a stupa. It is said that the stupa was built by 2 seafaring merchants called "Tapassu and Bhalluka" from India enshrining the hair relics of the Lord Buddha given by himself. The 2 names were inscribed in rock inscription at Vihara premises.</br>
<br>The original small stupa was enlarged and built Vatadage enclosing it in the 8th century AD. It is located 46 km north of Trincomalee. |
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Kanniya hot water springs, Ramayana site |
Kanniya hot water springs, Ramayana site |
<ul>Kanniya hot water springs are located 7 km northwest of Trincomalee. It has 7 hot water springs. The wells are 3–4 feet deep and the temperature of the water is considerably high.<br>
<br>This site has a connection with Indian Epic Poet “Ramayana”. When King Ravana’s mother was demise, he stuck the earth from his sword in several spots and fountains sprang from these points. The water was hot and that was the beginning of this hot water springs. There is some archaeological evidence that these hot water springs were part of a Buddhist monastery in the area. </ul> |
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Arisimale beach |
Arisimale beach |
<ul>Arisimale beach is located in the Pulmoddai area, 54 km north of Trincomalee. This beach is famous due to its’ extremely large particles of sand that resemble in size and shape of a rice seed. In the Tamil language “Arisi” means rice and "male" means mountain.</br>
<br>It is said that the 2 seafaring merchants called "Tapassu and Bhalluka" from India carrying the hair relics given by Lord Buddha himself were landed on Arisimale beach. |
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Marble beach |
Marble beach |
<ul>Marble beach, located within the Trincomalee natural harbour area, 17 km south of Trincomalee is a wonderful cove bookended by living forest headlands. At the north end of the beach, Marble Beach Airforce Resort is located.</br>
<br>Imagine, other than Hawaii or Maldives, where you can experience crystal clear, emerald blue water with gentle waves rolling towards powder white sand that ended in lush scrub jungle stand up the adjacent hill. The Marble beach is the only place that you can experience such uniqueness in Sri Lanka.
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Museum of wall painting |
Museum of wall painting |
<ul>The museum of wall painting is located within the premises of Dambulla cave temple. This is only one such kind of museum in Sri Lanka that displayed how the Sri Lankan cave and wall painting tradition evolved.</ul>.
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Ibbankatuwa, megalithic tombs |
Ibbankatuwa, megalithic tombs |
<ul>The Ibbankatuwa tombs belong to the megalithic period is located 5 km south of Dambulla. This ground was used between 750 BC – 400 BC for funeral purposes. <br>
<br>Tombs were fenced by 4 stone slabs and the top was covered by another slab. The large Terra-cotta urns and cists were found in the tombs and goods and tools such as clay pots, iron, copper, and gold artifacts, beads, necklaces used by the deceased have been found inside them.
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Gadaladeniya, Lankathilaka, Embekke temples |
Gadaladeniya, Lankathilaka, Embekke temples |
<ul>Gadaladeniya, Lankathilaka, and Embekke tri temples are located about 8 km in proximity and 12 km south of Kandy. These tri temples belonged to Gampola Period (1341 – 1410 AD). Those temples are considered to be the masterpieces of Sri Lankan architecture and craftsmanship.
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Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage |
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage |
<ul>Sri Lankan elephants are unique in the world. Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a sanctuary for elephants displaced from wild habitats and human activities. It is the only one of its kind in the world.<br>
<br>Pinnawala orphanage is located near the Rambukkana area on the Kegalle - Rambukkana road and about 4 km from the Rambukkana railway station. Initially, it was designed to give protection and care for baby elephants found in the jungle without their mothers. A captive breeding program launched in 1982. The first elephant birth was in 1984. At Pinnawala elephants are allowed to roam freely during the day and a herd structure allowed to form.<br>
<br>If you visit there during the feeding times you will be able to witness the baby elephants being bottle-fed. The visitor can accompany the elephants to a river close-by and see them having their daily bath.
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Peradeniya botanical garden |
Peradeniya botanical garden |
<ul>Peradeniya botanical garden, the largest in Sri Lanka was established in 1843 and situated 6 km south of Kandy. There are about 4,000 plant species that can be seen at the garden where Giant Bamboo of Burma, century-old giant Javan fig tree, the Cannonball tree, Double coconut palm, and collection of orchids are most highlighted plants.<br>
<br>Most prominent persons who visited Sri Lanka have planted trees in the garden to mark their visit. Queen Elizabeth II, Marshal Tito, and Yuri Gagarin were among them. </ul> |
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The sacred city of Kandy, World heritage site |
The sacred city of Kandy, World heritage site |
<ul>The sacred city of Kandy, a cultural world heritage site was the last capital of the Sri Lankan Sinhalese kingdom. Sri Dalada Maligawa, the temple of the tooth relic of Lord Buddha is the icon of the sacred city of Kandy.<br>
<br>The relics of Lord Buddha were distributed among various kingdoms in India after his cremation. The tooth relic of the left canine of Lord Buddha was given to the Kingdom of Kalinga in Eastern India. During the period of King Guhasiva in the 4th century AD, the Kalinga kingdom has encountered a war with the neighbouring kingdom to get hold of the Tooth relic. King Guhasiva has decided to send all important tooth relics to his friend in Sri Lanka King Kirthi Sri Meghavarna for its safety.<br>
<br>King Kirthi Sri Meghavarna has built a special shrine called “Dalada Maligawa” to kept the Tooth Relic at the Abhayagiri Vihara complex in Anuradhapura. It Kept there from the 4th-century to the 10th century AD until the capital was shifted to Polonnaruwa.<br>
<br>As and when the capital was shifted from Polonnaruwa, Yapahuwa, Dambadeniya, Kurunegala, Gampola, Kotte, Sitawaka, and Kandy, “Dalada Maligawa” has built to kept tooth relic.<br>
<br>In the Kandyan Kingdom, Dalada Maligawa was first built by King Vimaladharmasuriya in the 16th century AD. However, it was no longer exists today. The present Dalada Maligawa with three-story was built by King Weera Parakrama Narendrasinghe during the 18 century.<br>
<br>Sri Dalada Maligawa temple complex consists of the main building that contains the first chamber called “Palle Male” and an upper chamber called “Uda Male” where the tooth relic kept and Pattirippuwa (Octagonal pavilion) and Magulmaduwa (Audience Hall).<br>
<br>Sri Dalada Museum, Archaeological museum located in the old royal palace, World Buddhist museum, and Tusker “Raja” museum also located in the temple complex. Natha Devale, Visnu Devale, Pattini Devale, and Kataragama Devale are located in front of the Dalada Maligawa within the temple complex.</ul> |
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Gangarama temple, Seema Malaka |
Gangarama temple, Seema Malaka |
<ul>Gangarama temple is one of the most venerated temples in Colombo. The Gangarama Seema Malaka, a meditation house was built in the Beira Lake used for meditation by the Buddhist monk. It was designed by the renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa.
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Colombo Museum |
Colombo Museum |
<ul>Colombo National Museum, Colombo Dutch Museum, Colombo Maritime Museum, Independence Memorial Museum, Currency Museum Colombo are the main museums in the Colombo city. Other than those, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka in Colombo 4, National Postal Museum in Colombo 8, National Railway Museum in Colombo Fort, Sri Lanka Air Force Museum in Ratmalana are also interesting museums in Colombo to visit.</br>
<br><b>Colombo National Museum</b></br>
The largest museum in Sri Lanka. It has the largest museum collecting evolve from prehistory. It exhibits Sri Lankan culture, nature, arts and most importantly the regalia of the country.</br>
<br><b>Colombo Dutch Museum</b></br>
It is located at Prince Street, Pettah. The museum building was the former residence of the Governor of Dutch Ceylon Thomas van Rhee during his term of office from 1692 to 1697. The unique architectural features of a colonial Dutch townhouse has exemplified this building. Various Dutch artifacts including coins, ceramics, furniture, weaponry and the lifestyle of Dutch in Sri Lanka displayed in this museum.</br>
<br><b>Colombo Maritime Museum</b></br>
It is located at Chaithya Road adjacent to the Colombo Port. The museum is housed in only surviving Dutch period buildings in the Colombo Port area. That is the former Dutch prison building. It was built in 1676</br>
<br><b>Independence Memorial Museum</b></br>
It is located at Independence Square in Colombo 7.</br>
<br><b>Currency Museum Colombo</b></br>
It is located at Central Bank headquarters Colombo 1. This museum has a collection of currency from the 3rd century BC to up to present including the colonial era. |
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Kelaniya Temple, Soliyas Mendis, Duruthu Perahera |
Kelaniya Temple, Soliyas Mendis, Duruthu Perahera |
<ul><p> Kelaniya temple is one of the most venerated temples in Sri Lanka. It was visited by Lord Buddha during his 3rd visit to Sri Lanka. According to the chronicles, Kelaniya Stupa was built enshrined in a gem-studded throne on which the Buddha sat and preached. <br>
<br>Soliyas Mendis, an artist with extraordinary talent in the modern era, has decorated the ceiling of the Kelaniya temple. It has depicted important events of the Buddha's life, stories of previous lives of Lord Buddha, and Sri Lankan Buddhist history. These temple paintings are considered to be the best temple paintings after the Kandyan era.
</p><p><br>Kelaniya temple Duruthu Maha Perahera, a glorious cultural procession celebrates during the month of January is a unique experience that you can have in Sri Lanka.
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Colonial Buildings, Colombo |
Colonial Buildings, Colombo |
<ul><p>Few Dutch architecture and British architecture style buildings remain in Colombo. </p><p><br></p><p>Among them, Wolvendaal Church built-in 1749, St. Lucia's Cathedral Kotahena built-in 1782, Old Colombo Dutch hospital built-in 1681, and Colombo Dutch Museum (Dutch Governors' office built-in 1656) are the remaining Dutch architecture style buildings in Colombo.</p><p><br>
Galle Face Hotel, GOH hotel, Townhall Colombo, General Post Office Colombo, Colombo National Museum, Old Parliament building are some of the iconic British architecture style buildings in Colombo. </p></ul> |
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Jaffna, Cycle tour |
Jaffna, Cycle tour |
<ul>The bicycle is one of the main modes of transport in Jaffna. Cycling through the main attraction in Jaffna is the best option to explore the Jaffna culture. Normally this cycling tour will start around 2.30 pm. You will be able to explore Jaffna library, Supramaniyam Park, Old Park, Coastal villages, Rio ice cream, Nallur temple, St James church, St Mary's Cathedral, Buddhist Pagoda, the statue of the last king of Jaffna kingdom, Arc of last kingdom's palace, last king's minister house, Jaffna market, and archaeological Museum. Tour will end up around 18.30 pm.</ul> |
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Polonnaruwa Museum |
Polonnaruwa Museum |
<ul>Polonnaruwa Museum is the place you should visit before entering the ancient city of Polonnaruwa. Because it is the place where you get a holistic view of the Polonnaruwa era and details of what in front of you to see. |
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Medirigiriya Vatadage |
Medirigiriya Vatadage |
<ul>Medirigiriya Vatadage is a glorious architectural construction belongs to 7th century AD. It is located 34 km away from Polonnaruwa. The concept of Vatadage was the unique architecture of ancient Sri Lanka. Basically, Vatadage was built around the stupa to protect it. It was erected on an elevated circular dais, encircling the small stupa. Archeologists believed that there may be a wooden roof with the support of stone or wooden columns arranged in several concentric rows. </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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Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, World heritage site |
Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, World heritage site |
<ul>The World Heritage site, the ancient city of Polonnaruwa is the must-visit place on your journey in Sri Lanka. The most number of buildings in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa has built by King Parakramabahu the Great. He designed Polonnaruwa as a complete city by constructing the king’s palace and administration building with an auditorium, the various religious buildings centered on Alahana Pirivena (a medieval centre of learning for monks), and the unique irrigation complex based on Parakrama Samudraya (sea of Parakrama) that waters the city as well as the surrounding plains.<br>
<br>This cultural treasure Polonnaruwa is a part of the “Cultural Triangle” in Sri Lanka. It shows the interesting blend of the influence of south Indian Hindu culture on the Sinhala Buddhist art and architecture in the scattered shrines and monuments still venerated daily by devotees. The top sites you not to miss in your journey in Polonnaruwa are:<br>
<br><b>Northern Monuments</b><br>
<br><i><b>Gal Viharaya</b></i><br>
A magnificent group of colossal statues of Lord Buddha was cut in a row from streaked granite rock originally known as Uttararama. This was the masterpiece of Sinhalese artistic achievement. The expressions of peace, serenity on the statues, and the consummate skills shown by the craftsmen will linger most of the visitors.
<br><i><b>Rankot Vehera</b></i><br>
The name “Rankot” means goldern-pinnacled. It was the largest stupa in Polonnaruwa with a height of 55 m. This stupa was founded by one of the queens of King Parakramabahu the great and completed by King Nissankamalla.
<br><i><b>Alahana Pirivena complex</b></i><br>
Alahana Pirivena was the centre of learning for monks. This complex consists of Badda Seema Prasada, Lankatilaka Pilimage, and Kiri Vehera
<br><i><b>Badda Seema Prasada</b></i><br>
Badda Seema Prasada was an assembly hall said to be 12 storied building used for reciting the common rules of discipline of the Vinaya ancient Bhikku hospital on the right side of this building. and Kirivehera Stupa parts
<br><i><b>Lankathilaka Pilimage (image house)</b></i><br>
This image house was completely made out of bricks and the outside of the wall decorated with carvings. A headless monolithic Buddha image of 12.49 m in height is inside this image house
<br><i><b>Kiri Vehera</b></i><br>
The most preserved and unrestored stupa in Sri Lanka. The stupa has unspoiled white plaster and that’s’ why it was named as Kiri (Milk) Vehera.<br>
<br><b>Ancient City</b><br>
<br><i><b>Sacred Quadrangle</b></i><br>
The main focus of the ancient city area is Sacred Quadrangle (In Sinhala “Dala Maluwa”). It is the terrace of the tooth relic temples built by various kings ruled from Polonnaruwa. The sacred quadrangle is on a raised up platform bounded by a wall. It has contained 12 ancient buildings.
<br><i><b>Atadage</b></i><br>
The first tooth relic temple built by King Vijayabahu – I. It is said that this was built on 54 stone pillars and the relic was kept on the second floor. A few steps of the staircase to the second floor still can be seen. This is the only surviving building in Polonnaruwa built by King Vijayabahu – I.
<br><i><b>Hatadage</b></i><br>
The tooth relic temple said to be built by King Nissankamalla.
<br><i><b>Polonnaruwa - Vatadage</b></i><br>
A circular building with a diameter of 18 m. The uppermost platform containing a small stupa on the centre and 4 seated Buddha statues around it. The lower platform has a single entrance. The middle platform has four entrances facing the four cardinal points. The Buddha statues in the uppermost platform directly facing the four entrances. The moonstone and the guard stone at the entrance of the Vatadage have considered the best of their kind in Sri Lanka and masterpiece of Singhalese art tradition.
<br><i><b>Nissanka Latha-Mandapaya</b></i><br>
This beautiful architectural edifice has built by king Nissankamalla to listen to the religious texts being chanted. It is a stone-built structure only its foundation platform and highly ornate stone columns remain.
<br><i><b>Thuparamaya</b></i><br>
The well-preserved image house was built for the worship of the Buddha. This is a different architectural manifestation in comparison with the other image houses in Sri Lanka. It is considered as a stylistic derivation of the ancient architectural form called “Gnijakavsatha” described in Pali literature.
<br><i><b>Gal Pota</b></i><br>
The "stone book" is an enormous stone slab that has glowing inscriptions praising the work of King Nissankamalla. This 8 m long, 4 m wide 25 tonnes weighed stone slab dragged from Mihintale to Polonnaruwa
<br><i><b>Sathmahal Pasada</b></i><br>
This "Seven Storey Edifice" was a Buddhist stupa that perhaps reflects a rare architectural form that prevailing in the wider Asian region including the southeast during the late historic period that is exemplified by the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai in Lamphun, Thailand.
<br><i><b>Shiva Devale No. 1</b></i><br>
It is believed that this was built in the 13th century AD by south Indian invaders. This was constructed according to the south Indian architectural style with excellent stone carving.<br>
<br><b>Royal citadel Monuments</b><br>
<br><i><b>Vejayanta Pasada</b></i><br>
This the King Parakramabahu’s administrative centre including his palace. According to the chronicle, it is a seven-story building and contained 1000 rooms. The gigantic brick walls of the auditorium and 40 intercommunicating rooms can still be seen.
<br><i><b>Audience Hall</b></i><br>
King Parakramabahu’s audience hall is located east of the royal palace that has gorgeous stone carvings. The perfectly engraved bas-relief friezes of elephants and majestically seated lions are on the stone base of this building.
<br><i><b>Kumara Pokuna</b></i><br>
The royal bathing pool and the remains of the water gardens of the royal palace beautiful places to watch.<br>
<br><b>Southern Monuments</b><br>
<br><i><b>Pothgul Vihara Statue</b></i><br>
The statue carved on a large rock boulder near the Pothgul Viharaya. The majestic figure depicted on the statue is commonly known as a figure of King Parakramabahu the great but still not confirmed by the archaeologist.
<br><i><b>Pothgul Vihara</b></i><br>
This is the ancient library complex. It is Gedige type structure and consists of four small stupas surrounding a circular brick building on the central platform.
<br><i><b>King Nissankamalla’s Council chamber</b></i><br>
It is located close to the bund of the Parakrama Samudraya, the largest man-made ancient reservoir in Sri Lanka. Each pillar of this council chamber has an inscription indicating the seating arrangement of the respective ministers and state officials and their statues.<br>
<br>The ancient city of Polonnaruwa much of the same as the ancient city of Angkor in Cambodia that also belonged to the same period. Both being able to walk relatively freely through the temples, shrines, and ruins</ul>
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