The history of the north central plains of Sri Lanka is replete with ancient legends and dotted with age-old statues of undefined age. Sri Lanka is renowned for its association with Buddhism, and the north-central plains are home to numerous Buddhist temples, sculptures, stupas, and ancient monasteries, some of which date back over two thousand years. An ancient civilization flourished in the region, first in the ancient capital of Anuradhapura for over a thousand years, and then, due to invasions from South India, the capital was relocated to Polonnaruwa under the guidance and influence of Buddhism. The expert ancient sculptors transformed many of the monolithic rock formations that dot the north-central plains into places of worship, inspired by the Buddhist way of life. Today, the glory of yesteryear has faded, and most of these monoliths stand silent and deserted. Life around them moves at a slow pace through the heat of the day, and the air is still, except for the sound of insects and occasional bird or monkey calls. The ideal time to visit these monuments is in the morning or evening when the sun illuminates these ancient wonders. A word of caution when photographing Buddhist temples and statues: never pose with them or turn your back to them.
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The capital of Sri Lanka from the 05th Century B.C. to the end of the 10th Century A.D. was the most celebrated of Sri Lanka’s ancient ruined cities. The city’s greatest treasures are its dagobas constructed of bricks and hemispherical in shape. The most notable of these dagobas are the Ruvanveliseya which dates back to the 2nd Century B.C. and is 300 feet in diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370 feet and the Thuparama Dagoba enshrines the collarbone of the Buddha. The city’s most renowned relic is the sacred Bo Tree, which is said to have grown from a branch of the tree under which the Buddha gained Enlightenment. It was planted 2250 years ago and is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world.
Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures.
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Dambulla is an ancient city in Sri Lanka that is full of charm and spirituality city in Sri Lanak . Our travelers love the awe-inspiring Sigiriya Rock fortress which is a UNESCO world heritage site, built by King Kashyapa is one of the country’s most memorable single attraction, a remarkable archeological site made unforgettable by its dramatic setting, Dambulla Cave Temples, as it is unbelievable to see the 150 plus Buddha statues residing gracefully with statues of kings, gods, and goddesses of ancient Ceylon. The adrenaline that one gets by stepping into one of the carefully preserved temple complexes in the world; is beyond explanation.
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Polonnaruwa replaced the Ancient city of Anuradhapura and had three Kings. The city of Polonnaruwa was invaded in the 12th Century and was pitifully captured with much evidence remains. Today, even with the ruins the city looks glorious and elegant. The ruins of the ancient city stand on the east shore of a large artificial lake. The remains are in and around the TopaWewa Lake or the ParakramaSamudraya which was built by King Parakramabahu the 1st during whose reign was the kingdom known as Golden. Some of the most popular attractions in Polonnaruwa can be named as
An ancient historical city as Polonnaruwa has many more interesting attractions to keep your eyes struck.
It is a must to include Kandy in your Sri Lanka itinerary as there are beautiful and exciting places to visit. The most famous Temple of the Tooth shrine and the drop-dead gorgeous botanical garden is situated in the heart of Srilanka with incredible forms of flora and near-endangered plants that have been cultivated years back. Add a note in your Sri Lanka itinerary to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the city while refreshing and revitalizing your body and mind with a quick yoga break at Sri Lanka’s largest botanical gardens. To get a memorable experience with elephants let’s visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and then have a tour around the city of Kandy witnessing the beautiful places that the Kandy city is known for. To end the day you will witness a beautiful cultural dance comprising of dancers dressed in colorful costumes dancing for the beat of the drums. With that, we will end the day with a relaxing overnight stay at the hotel.
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Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, is buzzing day and night and it expresses a diverse culture. With European culture and traditional Sri Lankan culture, the taste of Colombo city is different from all other destinations.
The Gangaramaya Temple, renowned as the most visited temple in the city, boasts a rich history spanning 120 years. Founded in 1885 by Venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera, the temple played a pivotal role in the revival of Buddhism and cultural resurgence during the colonial rule of Sri Lanka. The temple's architecture is a harmonious blend of modern and traditional elements, featuring an extensive museum that showcases Buddha statues from various parts of Asia, including the island's smallest Buddha sculpture, which is carefully encased in a glass box for visitors to view with a magnifying glass. The Gangaramaya Temple is renowned for organizing Sri Lanka's largest and most colorful Vesak festival annually.
