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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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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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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, 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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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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Bird watching, Chundikulam national park |
Bird watching, Chundikulam national park |
<ul>The thin stem of land connecting the mainland and the northern peninsular, bordered by the Indian Ocean from the east and carving to create a lagoon from the west is a divine hotspot of wild creatures, the Chundikulam national park belongs to the above Lagoon and the surrounding area is 76 km east of Jaffna and approximately 12 km northeast of Kilinochchi.<br>
<br>During the migratory season, spanning from November to February the park becomes the major site for bird watching. Large flocks of birds, such as Terns and Gulls, and raptors such as Kites and Sea Eagles are common at that period.
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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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Sacred city of Anuradhapura, World heritage site |
Sacred city of Anuradhapura, World heritage site |
<ul><p>The sacred city of Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage site containing hundreds of ruins dated back to the 4th century BC to the 11th century AD. These ruins are one of the most evocative sights in the world. It has contained well-preserved brick pools and crumbling temples that are truly a collection of archaeological and architectural wonders. Among them the main sights are:<br>
<br><b>The brazen palace</b><br>
“Lovamahapaya” or the brazen palace was an ancient chapter house first built by King Devanampiyatissa and later modified by King Dutugamunu in 2ndcentury BC. After the modification, it has 9 graded stories and is said to have been 100 cubits square at ground level and 100 cubits higher levels. Its roof was covered with copper-bronze plates and walls were decorated with corals and precious stones. The monks it housed were graded also! The “simple folk” on the ground floor, doctors of the teaching on the second, likewise up to the saintliest arahants on the highest of all.<br>
<br><b>The Ruvanweliseya Stupa</b><br>
Ruvanweliseya, historically known as “Mahathupa” was built originally by King Dutugamunu and many kings and Queens had renovated it. Originally it was 55 m in height with the shape of a bubble floating on water.<br>
<br><b>The Thuparama Stupa</b><br>
This most ancient of Sri Lanka dagobas was built by King Devanampiyatissa to enshrine the Buddha”s Collarbone relic. The graceful monolithic pillars surrounding it once supported a circular roof making the shrine a Vatadage (Circular relic house) a characteristically Sri Lankan architectural feature.<br>
<br><b>Jetavanarama Stupa</b><br>
The massive brick Jetavanarama stupa is an impressive sight. It is said that there are enough bricks in it, to build a three-meter high wall, running all the way from Edinburgh to London. This was originally 122 m in height. It was built by King Mahasena (277 to 304 AD) and considered as the third tallest structure after Khufru & Khafra at Gizeh, Egypt, and the tallest stupa in the world. The doorposts of the attached image house still stand.<br>
<br><b>Abhayagiri Stupa</b><br>
It was built originally by King Valagamba (89–77 BC) and then by King Gajabāhu I (113–135 AD) Abhayagiri Stupa was considered to be the fourth tallest structure in the world with a height of 115 m.<br>
<br>The emerging of this stupa has an interesting story according to the chronicles. During King Valagamba's first ascended to the throne, the South Indian invasion took place in 104 BC. King withdrew from the capital. During his withdrawal King gone through the area where a Jain monk named “Giri” was residing. When this Jain monk saw the king is withdrawn he cried out: "The great black Sinhala is fleeing." King ignored that comment but resolved to build a stupa where the Jain monk residing.<br>
<br>After 14 years King Valagamba able to defeat invaders and ascended to the throne. He built a stupa where the Jain monk residing and named it “Abhayagiri” using part of his name and rivals named “Giri”.<br>
<br><b>The Kuttam Pokuna</b><br>
Translated: the 'Twin Ponds'. The most beautiful ancient pools of Anuradhapura, and possibly in the country.<br>
<br><b>The Samadhi Buddha</b><br>
It is the best executed Buddha statue in the country, dating back to the 4th Century AD. The attention-grabbing detail of this statue is that once checked out from the left, Lord Buddha seems to be smiling, however, from the right, it seems a slight sadness.<br>
<br><b>The Ratna Prasada</b><br>
There's not much left of this old monastery, but if you want to see some more excellent guard stones, check it out.<br>
<br><b>Mahasen's Palace</b><br>
Here's to be found the best Moonstone in the entire country. Moonstone is the semicircular stone that is placed on the ground at the entrance of a temple.<br>
<br><b>Isurumuniya</b><br>
This rock temple is famous due to the great bas-reliefs “Isurumuniya lovers” that has been displayed in the adjacent museum. The other interesting sculpture is “King’s Family” which can also be seen in the Isurumuniya museum. The stone carving on the living rock depicting the horse head and the man in a royal pose is interesting to witness.<br>
<br><b>Mirisawati Stupa</b><br>
Mirisawati Dagoba built by King Dutugamunu was the first monument built by the king following his consecration.</p><p><br></p><p>Read more:</p><p>Vessagiriya forgotten murals </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0in;text-align:justify;text-indent:0in"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.fantasiatours.com/blogs/view-blog/vessagiriya-forgotten-murals-anuradhapura-unesco-world-heritage-site">https://www.fantasiatours.com/blogs/view-blog/vessagiriya-forgotten-murals-anuradhapura-unesco-world-heritage-site</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
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Anuradhapura Museums |
Anuradhapura Museums |
<ul>There are five museums in Anuradhapura secret city:
<br>1. Archaeological Museum on the Ruwanweliseya Road.
<br>2. Jethawana Museum – in the Jetawana Monastery Complex
<br>3. Abayagiriya Mahatissa Fahien Museum – in the Abhayagiri Monastery Complex
<br>4. Isurumuniya Museum
<br>5. Anuradhapura Folk Museum
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Arboretum, Archaeological reserve at Menikdena |
Arboretum, Archaeological reserve at Menikdena |
<ul>Menikdena archaeological reserve and arboretum is located between the Menikdena reservoir and Menikdena hills, 16 km south of Dambulla. In the 6th century AD, this area is known as Budugama and there was a temple complex. In the 11th century AD this area was used as a camping site at the battle agents Chola invaders by King Vijayabahu I. </ul> |
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Hurulu Eco Park |
Hurulu Eco Park |
<ul>Hurulu Eco Park is the carved out edge of the Hurulu forest reserve. It is located 18 km north of Sigiriya. Mini safaris are offered by the park. Hurulu forest reserve is a dry-zone dry evergreen forest. It is an important habitat of the Sri Lankan elephants, birds, and reptiles. During the months of May to September, elephants are rooming in this park. Therefore during this period, you have a very good opportunity to witness Sri Lankan elephants closely. </ul> |
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Ritigala, Mountain hike |
Ritigala, Mountain hike |
<ul>Ritigala is famous due to Ritigala Mountain, Ritigala forest, Ritigala forest monastery, and Ritigala Jayasena. It is located 43 km north of Sigiriya.<br>
<br>Ritigala Mountain is remarkable for its history, legends, and nature. It is a steep jungle-clad mountain with a height of 764.25 m. The summit of the mountain is a mini plateau on which the vegetation is different from the surrounding area. Hence the summit has a cool and wet micro-climate. This mountain is a herbal medical garden also where many rare herbal medical plants are to be found.<br>
<br>According to the Mahavamsa, this mountain is referred to as “Arittha Pabbata”, where the king’s army was raised. During the reign of King Surathissa (177-187 BC), a temple called “Sankha Viharaya” was built. Several following kings also reconstructed the temple and added more Viharas and Stupas. The remains of this monastery complex can still be found today.<br>
<br>There are well-known legends related to Ritigala. One is related to Ramayana and the other one regarding Ritigala Jayasena. Ritigala Jayasena is being a good Angampora warrior, he challenged Gotaimbara, one of the King’s army commander. During the battle, Jayasena’s head was removed by Gotaimbara. After his death, Ritigala Jayasena became the much-feared demon “Mahasona”.<br>
<br>According to the Ramayana, Rama’s brother, Lakshman was wounded during the battle between King Ravana. The monkey god “Hanuman”, was sent to the Himalayas to find some special medicinal herbs. But Hanuman forgot which herbs he needed. In desperation, he took a chunk of the mountains and twisted in his tail, and came back. On his way back he dropped a piece of it at Ritigala mountain. It is believed, that is how the great variety of medicinal herbs can be found in the Ritigala Mountain.
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Night safari, Popham’s Arboretum |
Night safari, Popham’s Arboretum |
<ul>Popham’s Arboretum located just 4 km away from Dambulla town on Dambulla - Kandalama road. This man-made forest was created by nature lover Sam Popham, an Englishman in 1963. Now it is the only dry zone Arboretum in Sri Lanka. The natural habitat with a variety of trees, birds, butterflies, and dragonflies has resembled typical Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen forest.</br>
<br>The most evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered Sri Lankan endemic species of the red slender loris (<i>Loris tardigradus</i>) can be seen in this Arboretum. Night Walk to search these nocturnal arboreal animals with large distinctive eyes in this wilderness would be a fascinating experience you not to miss.</ul>
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