Explore Srilanka-Visit Our Wonderland:Enjoy Your Vacation

Explore Srilanka

2020-04-04T05:16:00.000-07:00

Welcome to www.explore-srilankanbeauty.blogspot.com
Definitely exploring Srilanka is a dream of any tourist person because Srilanka consists of such a attractive places.One can't just avoid being attracted by it's natural beauty and culture.

Why People Love to Visit Srilanka
Srilanka is an ideal land of natural beauty.Every year millions of people come here to enjoy it and also to see the proud ancient history of it.No wonder it is called the pearl of the indian ocean.This little island is enriched with many
unique tourist places which is admired all over the world.
Forests,World class beaches,ancient cities,temples and not only the places but the special cultural
festivals like DALADA PERAHERA,ayrweda treetments has attracted numerous tourists.

"I'd just like to say that the Travellers teaching placement in Sri Lanka was brilliant, couldn't fault it at all. Doing the placement was the best decision I ever made, it was absolutely fantastic and I was pretty sad when I finished. Met some really nice people too."
-Gemma Leonard

Awesome Culture
A culture older than 300 B.c enriched with many beautiful festivals,their own delicious food,arts and even the great ayurweda-the way of healthy life.People here are well known for their friendliness and helpfulness.

Udaya Nanayakkara, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourist Board, says ... "Sri Lanka has been the focus of the world’s attention since the tsunami hit our shores on December 26, 2004. And while we will never forget the enormous impact on our coastline and the sadness caused by the deaths of 107 tourists and 30,618 Sri Lankan's, our people have shown a remarkable resilience, an amazing determination to rebuild our lives and our nation, to emerge even stronger than we were before.

Tourism is key to that rebuilding process. A healthy tourist industry will provide jobs and in turn the dignity that will put the world-famous smile back on Sri Lankan faces. In urging visitors to return to our shores, it is important to present the real facts about Sri Lanka, a true picture of the situation on a daily basis."

Legendary Srilankan Hospitality
Smiling villagers welcoming tourists to treat them with legendary Sri Lankan hospitality.Makes you feel like home and even the hotels which are located in breath taking locations added with amazing hospitality and service makes every second of your time enjoyable here in Srilanka.

Letter from Travellers Volunteer Alice Nimmo: ‘Hello Travelers, I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time I had in Sri Lanka in March this year at the elephant orphanage! I can't fault the experience at all, and the staff were fantastic.

I have definitely taken a love for visiting countries of completely different culture now, and hope I can take part in another voluntary work placement in Africa in the next couple of years. Thank you for all your help, you were fantastic at sorting it out for me and nothing ever went wrong, apart from the monsoon season coming a little earlier than planned!

Siresh was fantastic and was always concerned for the safety of us - he also had a very good sense of humour and the language barrier was ever so funny. And also Chandana, who cooked amazing food, I was in heaven with all the spicy curries, and Ajeet for keeping the house so clean, oh yes, and who could forget Mandulla the van driver, always on time and Nirangela the wacky chirpy lady. Thank you again and hope to see you in the future.'

There's good swimming at any number of beaches along the south-western coast. Excellent scuba diving, snorkeling and surfing are found at Hikkaduwa, there's pleasant snorkeling at Unawatuna, and sailing, windsurfing and water skiing on the Bentota River.

Fabulous Hotels
Of cource the hotels which have a great service and fantastic surroundings promises to provide you a wonderful experience.

“Having finally returned home from Sri Lanka, I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at Travellers for helping to organise my trip. I had the most amazing time and will definitely be going back there as soon as possible! I really enjoyed my placements, living in both the Ja-Ela and Kegalle houses was great fun and I’ve made some fantastic friends.” -Jennifer Rowe

Privacy Policy

2009-05-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

Privacy Policy for http://explore-srilankanbeauty.blogspot.com/

If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to contact us by email at thelahera.net@gmail.com.

At http://explore-srilankanbeauty.blogspot.com/, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by http://explore-srilankanbeauty.blogspot.com/ and how it is used.

Log Files
Like many other Web sites, http://explore-srilankanbeauty.blogspot.com/ makes use of log files. The information inside the log files includes internet protocol ( IP ) addresses, type of browser, Internet Service Provider ( ISP ), date/time stamp, referring/exit pages, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement around the site, and gather demographic information. IP addresses, and other such information are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable.

Cookies and Web Beacons
http://explore-srilankanbeauty.blogspot.com/ does use cookies to store information about visitors preferences, record user-specific information on which pages the user access or visit, customize Web page content based on visitors browser type or other information that the visitor sends via their browser.

DoubleClick DART Cookie
.:: Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on http://explore-srilankanbeauty.blogspot.com/.
.:: Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to users based on their visit to http://explore-srilankanbeauty.blogspot.com/ and other sites on the Internet.
.:: Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy at the following URL - http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html

Some of our advertising partners may use cookies and web beacons on our site. Our advertising partners include ....
Google Adsense

These third-party ad servers or ad networks use technology to the advertisements and links that appear on http://explore-srilankanbeauty.blogspot.com/ send directly to your browsers. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. Other technologies ( such as cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons ) may also be used by the third-party ad networks to measure the effectiveness of their advertisements and / or to personalize the advertising content that you see.

http://explore-srilankanbeauty.blogspot.com/ has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.

You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. http://explore-srilankanbeauty.blogspot.com/'s privacy policy does not apply to, and we cannot control the activities of, such other advertisers or web sites.

If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

2009-05-13T20:45:00.000-07:00

Pinnawela elephant orphanage has existed since 1975 and has grown to become one of the most popular attractions of Sri Lanka.

Before the arrival of the British in 1815 an estimated 30,000 elephants lived on the island. In the 1960s, the elephant population was close to extinction. This prompted the Sri Lankan government to found an orphanage for elephants that had lost their mothers or herds. Today, their number is around 3,000.

Pinnawela, about 80 km northeast of Colombo, is regarded as the biggest herd of captive elephants in the world. Among the elephants is one that lost a foot when it stepped on a mine. Another is blind and is totally reliant on humans. The elephant herd in Pinnawela makes the journey to the river twice a day to bathe under the eyes of the tourists. For a few Sri Lankan rupees they are allowed to touch the animals. The sound of cameras clicking increases everytime one of the young elephant babies splashes about in the water. But anyone who wants to take a picture of the babies feeding in the orphanage has to pay extra for the privilege.

Some 110 people are employed to care for the herd feeding them with leaves from palm trees. About 14,000 kg of food are needed every day. The Pinnawela elephant orphanage is financed by the government and by charging visitors to see the animals.

"Just wanted to drop you a line as my project in Sri Lanka comes to end to tell you that I have had the best time of my life and the project has been amazing, both the teaching and the elephant orphanage. It has been a truly amazing experience." David Constable

"I wanted to end this year by thanking you, and all at Travellers, for making this year so special. As you know, my passion for elephants runs very deep and has done for as long as I can remember, and you were able to help me make my lifelong dream come true, and for that I am so eternally grateful." Travellers Volunteer, Jo 'The Elephant Lady' Harris

(source:http://www.tourism-srilanka.com)

Worlds End

2009-05-11T05:04:00.001-07:00

worlds end lodge Is a tranquil oasis virtually on the roof of Sri Lanka, totally isolated from the everyday world ! A four hour drive from Colombo, you arrive at your destination !

A place to rest and be refreshed. The swimming pool set against an incredible landscape with mountain fresh spring water. For the energetic a trek along spectacular scenery through jungle paths, Tea Estates, and a gap called "Devil's Staircase" will get you to Horton Plains, Sri Lanka's highest plateau, home to a variety of rare Fauna and Flora. A short trek or drive will get you to Babarakanda falls, Sri Lanka's highest water fall at 790 ft. This breath-taking cascade is a sight to behold. Diyaluma, Dunhinda, Ravana Falls, and the hill country resort towns of Nuwara-Eliya, Bandarawela and Hakgala Gardens, are a few hours drive. Kataragama, Yala and Uda-Walawe National Parks are only a day trip.

Comfortable and spacious bedrooms located to give a bird's eye view of Southern Sri Lanka. On a clear day you can view the Sinharaja forest in Deniyaya mountain range to the placid waters of Uda Walawe; From Dondra light house in Matara to Great and Little Basses, situated off the coast in Hambantota District.

The cry of the soaring mountain eagle; The kaleidoscopic view of the sprawling country side below; rising mist covering the green rolling hills will be nostalgic memories you will love to cherish, long after your visit.

Eagle’s Nest
Nestled along the edge of the Horton Plains nature reserve, in south-western corner of Sri Lanka's highlands is “Eagles Nest” the new wing of WORLD’S END LODGE.

The breathtaking terrain of majestic peaks, deep ravines and rushing waterfalls, has temperatures more akin to a sunny English spring. It is an ideal location for those yearning for a cooler, natural setting.The surrounding area provides plenty of hiking options; including hikes to the highest waterfall in Sri Lanka the Babarakanda falls and Horton Plains nature reserve, the highest plateau in Sri Lanka, home to a variety of rare Fauna and Flora.

Eagles Nest has five deluxe rooms with en suite bathrooms with hot water. The deluxe rooms, available as doubles, triples or quadruples has comfortable, clean accommodation with striking views of dramatic landscapes and unrivalled mountain views.

Delicious meals will be served by a butler in your room, in the dining room, or on a terrace overlooking the deep ravines and mountains.Rooms are sold on an all-inclusive basis, including bed tea, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner, excluding alcoholic and soft drinks.

Rooms can be booked individually or the entire property can be booked for a group (maximum of 14 adults and 5 children) There are barbeque facilities and separate driver quarters. Fully equipped kitchenette facility is also available for making baby foods and other tit-bits.

Facilities also include a swimming pool fed with continuous running spring water.A wonderful experience for the committed nature lover who is prepared to enjoy something different. ‘Eagles Nest’ offers a perfect de-stressing retreat with a combination of sights, walks and relaxation!

(source:www.srilankanexpeditions.com)

Horton Plains

2009-05-11T03:03:00.000-07:00

Horton Plains National Park is in the highlands of the country belonging to central province. This is the highest plateau in the country. This was declared as a National Park in 1988. The park area is 3160 hectare.

The second & third highest mountains of the country namely Kirigalpotta & Thotupola respectively are found within the borders of the park. Park receives rainfall from both northeast & southwest monsoons as well as inter-monsoonal rains. Frequently occurring mist and clouds are one main source of precipitation. With annual precipitation of about 5000mm Horton Plains is the most important catchments area of the country. Three major rivers of the country start from this area namely Kelani, Walawe & the Mahaweli the longest river of the country. There is a slight dry period between January to March. Due to altitude the area is comparatively cold. Mean annual temperature is around 15?C and during colder months it will go down further where it is cold enough to create ground frost.

Park consists of montane cloud forests embedded in wet montane grasslands. Horton Plains has rich biodiversity. Most of the fauna and flora found in the park are endemic and furthermore some of them are confined to highlands of the island.

Forests are dominated by Calophyllum sp. & Syzygium sp. Giant tree fern Cyathea sp. and colourful Rhododrendron are among the main attractions. Park is also famous for beautiful flowers of endemic Nellu (Strobilanthes sp.), Bovitiya (Osbeckia sp.), Binara (Exacum trinervium) and many other orchid species. Endemic dwarf Bamboo (Arundinaria densifolia) dominates the edges of the river while Chrysopogon zeylanicum and Garnotia mutica dominate the grasslands.

Though this was one of the best elephant habitats in the country they are locally extinct due to poaching & sports hunting occurred during the British colonial era. Leopard and Sambhur & wild boar are the most common large mammals in Horton Plains. Endemic Bear Monkey, Rusty- Spotted and Fishing cats, Otter, Black napped hare and Giant Squirrel are among other mammals. Many species of endemic & threatened rats & shrews are also found in the park. Diversity & endemicity of reptiles (Lizards) and amphibians are remarkably high.
Though this is cold highland plateau the bird diversity is very high. More than 70% of Sri Lanka’s endemic birds are found here.

How to get there
Horton Plains can be reached from Nuwaraeliya or Talawakale easily.

(Source:http://www.srilankareference.org)

Polonnaruwa

2009-05-11T01:53:00.000-07:00

In between Wildlife at Minneriya National Park, Wasgomuwa National Park, Kaudulla National Park and Eco Hotels at Kandalama & Habarana.

We mustn't fail to see: The Sea of Parakrama, Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Gal Vihara, Stone book and Lankatilaka Vihara.

The best thing to do here is a call a toss of a coin: head you win, tail I lose. So in any case, with us, you are the winner. Deciding which of the two ancient capitals Polonnaruwa or Anuradhapura - is the more impressive is a tough call.

As if the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura (437BC-845AD), didn't quench your thirst for other side of the world, here we are in Polonnaruwa, the second capital (846 AD-1302 AD) of Sri Lanka, which in its prime was protected by 6 km of strong encircling walls. Strategically it commanded all the crossings over the longest & largest river of the island, River Mahaweli. Polonnaruwa's extensive & well-preserved ruins offer a fascinating snapshot of ancient Sri Lanka, including some of the finest monuments. Ruins of royal castles and Buddhist temples: Royal Palace Group, The Quadrangle, the Polonnaruwa Vatadage, (circular relic house), Shiva Devale (Hindu temple), The Alahana Pirivena, Rankot Vihara, Lankatilake, Kiri Vihara, Gal Vihara, Potugal Vihara. Thanks to the compact nature of the city, we will be exploring all monuments & monastic remains in a single busy day that start in the early morning.

Ancient City
Just north of present-day Polonnaruwa town, 140km (90 miles) north of Kandy, are the ruins of ancient Polonnaruwa, which date from the late 10th century, when the marauding Chola invaders from southern India put Anuradhapura to sword and fire; death & destruction. The invaders moved their stronghold to Polonnaruwa, strategically located for defence against attacks from the unconquered Sinhalese kingdom of Ruhuna. In 1070 the Dravidians were defeated & forcibly evicted from Polonnaruwa by the Sinhalese Prince Kirti of Ruhuna who became the king of Lanka by the name of Vijayabahu. Recognizing, however, that Anuradhapura's location made it vulnerable to assaults from southern India, the king and his successors made their capital at Polonnaruwa, adding enormous temples, palaces, parks, gardens and huge tanks. By the 13th century AD, however, new waves of attacks from southern India forced the Sinhalese kings to abandon the north of the island, and the kingdoms of Kotte in the southwest (near modern Colombo), and Kandy, in the highlands, became the centres of Sinhalese power.

The Sea of Parakrama (man-made sea like rain water reservoir)

Polonnaruwa Visitor Information Centre and Museum
Built with the help of the Dutch government, this centre, on the banks of the lake, uses designer displays, detailed descriptive texts and a five-minute video presentation to complement its collection of archaeological finds. With a huge scale model of the site, it brings Polonnaruwa's palaces and temples to life, and it is well worth visiting before you set out to explore the complex.

The Royal Palace
In the center of the complex are the ruins of the Royal Palace, built by King Parakramabahu the great (1164-1196 AD). It was a massive wood and stone structure seven storeys in height, with a floor plan of 31m by13m (100ft by 43ft).The upper floors were of wood, and only the massive, 3m (10ft) thick lower walls survive.

Immediately to the east of the Palace stands the Audience Hall, used by the kings of Polonnaruwa to summon the nobles of the kingdom and to meet the emissaries from foreign rulers. Finely sculpted stone lions seated at the top of the steps leading into the hall were symbols of royal power, as were the elephants which form a frieze around the lower part of the outer wall. Next to the Audience Hall is the Kumara Pokuna (Royal Bathing Pool) which was fed with water from the stream which runs through the palace grounds.

Nissankamalla's Palace
Standing close to the shore of the great man-made lake, the ruins of the palace of King Parakramabahu the great's successor, King Nissankamalla (1187-1196 AD), are less well preserved than those of the Royal Palace, but are attractively located. This palace group includes a royal bathing pool just south of the palace, and the King's Council Chamber, where the names of the king's ministers can be seen carved into the pillars which supported the chamber roof.

Siva Devale
Immediately north of the Royal Palace complex is the Siva Devale, a 13th-century Hindu temple dating from the period of marauding south Indian invasions that followed the final decline of Sinhalese power in the north of the island. The technical skills of its builders are evident from the fine, precisely cut stonework of its walls. The brick domed roof, however, has not survived. There are several Siva Devales (Shiva Temples) at Polonnaruwa, reflecting the popularity of this powerful member of Hinduism's ruling trinity of deities. Hindu trinity or Trimurti consists of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver & Shiva, the destroyer.

Quadrangle
The Quadrangle stands within its own rectangle of walls, guarding the richest collection of ancient buildings in any of Sri Lanka's ruined capitals. In the southeast corner of the Quadrangle stands the Vatadage (reliquary), a circular building some 18m (59ft) in diameter, with four entrances leading to a central dagoba (shrine) which houses four seated Buddha images.

Clockwise around this building, from the southwest corner of the Quadrangle, is the Thuparama, a fine example of the gedige style of temple architecture which flourished at Polonnaruwa, and the only one to survive with its roof still in place.

More Information: Polonnaruwa Vatadage

Lata Mandapaya
West of the Vatadage is the Lata Mandapaya, a miniature dagoba encircled by stone columns topped with carved lotus buds, and surrounded by a carved stone trellis. Beyond this is the Atadage, the ruin of a tooth relic shrine built during the reign of Vijayabahu the 1st. Next to it is a cluster of small Hindu shrines.

Hatadage
Immediately north of the Vatadage is the Hatadage, another tooth reliquary building which was constructed in the reign of King Nissankamalla, and to the east of this stands the Gal Pota, or Stone Book, a 9m (29ft) stone carving of a palm leaf book used to record Buddhist texts and royal genealogies. The inscriptions therein records the achievements of King Nissankamalla.

Satmahal Prasada
Finally, in the northeast corner of the Quadrangle are the ruins of Satmahal Prasada, a six-storey, pagoda-like building which is unlike anything else in Sri Lanka, and has left archaeologists bowled out as to its origin.

Devales
Still within the perimeter of the city walls, north of the Quadrangle complex, are three more shrines, including a Siva Devale to the west of the road, and on the opposite side of the road a Vishnu Devale and yet another Siva Devale, a stone temple which is the oldest surviving building at Polonnaruwa. South of it looms the Parakramabahu Vihara, one of the largest stupas in Polonnaruwa.

Rankot Vihara
The largest dagoba in Polonnaruwa at 55m (180ft) high, this building is the hub of the group of buildings known as the Alahana Pirivena ('Crematory College') group which formed part of a monastic college during the reign of king Parakramabahu the great.

Buddha Seema Pasada
A conspicuous landmark, this is the tallest of the buildings north of the city walls and was the meeting hall of the Buddhist bhikkus (monks) of the monastery complex.

Kiri Vehera
Next to the Lankatilaka is the Kiri Vihara (Milk white temple), the best preserved of Polonnaruwa's stupas. Aptly named, this large dagoba's whitewashed plaster has survived seven centuries of abandonment to the jungle between the collapse of the Polonnaruwa kingdom and its rediscovery in the 19th century by the British colonialists. The construction of this dagoba is credited to Subhadra, Parakrambahu's queen.

Demala Maha Seya
Abandoned before completion, this large mound is what remains of Parakramabahu's effort to build the largest dagoba in the Buddhist world. The great king died before the work was completed.

Medirigiriya Vatadage, off Polonnaruwa
Location
30km north of Polonnaruwa & then about 3km north of the town of Medirigiriya. It is an enchanting place set in a natural reserve.

An unavoidable comparison with Polonnaruwa Vatadage
Near the village of Medirigiriya, about 30km north of Polonnaruwa, are the remains of the Mandalagiri Vihara or better known as Medirigirya Vatadage. It is similar in size & design to the splendid Polonnaruwa Vatadage, though the quality of the workmanship is not up to the high watermark set at Polonnaruwa.

While the Polonnaruwa vatadage is located among many other structures in a Dalada Maluwa (the hall of the Tooth Relic), the Medirigirya Vatadage stands alone atop a low hill.

Built during Polonnaruwa era on a much earlier site
An earlier structure was built here around the 2nd century, but the one that stands today was constructed in the 7th century by King Aggabodhi the 4th.

The central stupa
The vatadage sits atop a high terrace with a long flight of granite steps leading to it. At the bottom of the staircase is a massive stone frame with a height of almost 10 feet & width of almost 5 feet. 31 granite steps take us to the central stupa circled by a stone wall of a height of one meter. Four beautifully carved large seated Buddha statues face the four cardinal directions.

The lost roof
Three concentric circles with innermost circle of 16 delicate stone pillars (height 17 ft) & the middle circle with 20 stone pillars (height 16 ft) & the outermost circle with 32 stone pillars (height 9 ft) surround the central stupa. The roof of the Vatadage built on these three concentric circles of stone pillars is lost to rampage of marauding Dravidian invaders from Southern India.

Other structures surrounding the Vatadage

Hospital: The ruins of a hospital consist of 33 stone pillars on the outer structure & 20 pillars in the inner structure. Ruins indicate of three entrances & rooms with doors.

The medicine boat: The stone medicinal bath which looks unnervingly like a sarcophagus is a common feature as seen in all the ancient hospitals of Lanka.

Stone inscriptions: The stone medicinal oil bath is a common feature as seen in all the ancient hospitals of Lanka.

Others: There are also two images houses, two ponds, small stupa & a cave.

Giritale Reservoir
Location: by the side of Giritale Minneriya road
Buddha statues: a replica of Aukana Buddha Statue by the reservoir erected in 2001

(source:http://www.lanka.com/sri-lanka/polonnaruwa-sri-lanka)

Anuradhapura

2009-05-11T01:39:00.000-07:00

Anuradhapura Kingdom is about one thousand and five hundred years old from 380BC.This city has served off as the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom until ca. 1100 A.D.It is said that this city was designed by a person called Anuradha and considered as one of the best city designs in the region even today.There You will find lots of remains of castles,ponds and even temples.This is a popular destination of Sinhalese Buddhist's prilgimages because of its many ancient Buddhist monuments.
Futher you will find some of the most famous "dageba" including the tallest dageba in Srilanka,The Sri Maha Bodhi, a holey Bo-tree of Budhiest people is also situated in anuradhapura. This tree was grown from a sapling of the very tree under which more than 2500 years ago the Buddha found enlightenment.

There is many things that are worth seeing in Anuradhapura...

Ruwanveli Seya
Popularly regarded as the greatest, and certainly the most popular among the Buddhists,which is the oldest and tallest stupa at Anuradhapura, build by the pride of the Great Emperor Dutugamunu Raised in the 2nd century B.C.This dageba is supposed to have the perfect water bubble shape. Among the many statues in the courtyard there is one that is of a larger-than-life man. This is considered to be the king himself watching his work from a respectable distance.The ruins of this dageba is completely restored and painted in white, many Buddist people come here to worship Ruwanweliseya daily and it is situated very close to Sri Maha Bodhi, There was a roof for the stupa earlier, as well as four smaller stupas in the four corners of the complex. Please be respectful of the worshipers at the site.

Aukana Buddha
What may be called one of the wonders of the world is the tall, standing statue of the Buddha at Aukana, another architectural marvel of the ancient Sinhalese. The rock cut statue which stands 39 feet above its decorated lotus plinth and 10 feet across the shoulders, belongs to the period of King Dhatusena (459-477 AD), the builder of the great reservoir Kalawewa. It has been very well preserved over the years and is a joy for anyone to see and appreciate. It is a unique creation by an unknown sculptor.Not far from Avukana, just seven miles away as the crow flies, is another tall statue at Sasseruva. The two statues are believed to have been the work of a ‘guru - gola’ (master and pupil) team. There is an interesting tale behind the construction of the two statues. The completion of either masterpiece was to be signalled by the ringing of a bell.
The master and pupil got down to the job of finishing the statues furiously and one fine day the sound of the bell was heard. The master had completed the statue at Avukana. The unfinished Sasseruva statue remains at the site of an ancient cave monastery. Though virtually the same height as the Avukana statue, the other does not have the same finish as Avukana.

Mihinthale
The temple of Mihintale is where Thero Mahinda, the son of Great Indian Emperor Asoka introduced Buddihism to the king of Sri Lanka Thissa.
Mahinda's sister Theri Sangamitta carried a off shoot of the the ', the holy Bo tree that gave shelter to Buddha to attain Nibbana. Sri Maha Bodhi' The Bo tree was planted at Anuradhapura, where it still grows as the oldest tree with a recorded history in the world.

Abhayagiri Stupa and Monastery
Abhayagiri is the largest monastery complex in the Anuradhapura kingdom. Founded in the second century BC by king Valagamba(also known as Vattagamini Abhaya) was an international institution by the first century AD.
Covering an area of 200ha the monastery include full components of a Buddhist temple as well as other buildings. The stupa at Abhayagiri is 108m tall and one of the tallest brick buildings of the ancient world.
The finest Buddha sculpture in Sri Lanka the Samadhi Statue (3- century AD) is among its many fine stone carvings.

Jethawana Monastery
The monastery complex is built where it is believed to be the cremation grounds of the Mahinda Thera who introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Founded by King Mahasena (276-303AD) the stupa at 120m high was the third tallest monument in the world at the time of the fall of Roman Empire.
Ritigala
A beautifully paved footpath, several elevated platforms, ruins of an old hospital and remains of a terraced pond are what is unearthed at this 180 BC Buddhist monastery at the foothill of 600m high Ritigala Rock. Dating back to around 350 B.C is one of the oldest historical places mentioned in the ancient chronicles. (about 50km south east of Anuradhapura)

Isurumuniya Lovers
Isurumuniya temple built in the 3rd century B.C. is noted for its rock carvings. The best known among these is the "Lovers". Many a poet and song writer has taken inspiration from this carving to write their masterpieces. It is believed that the carving may represent Saliya the son of the great king Dutugamunu and the low-caste maiden whom he loved.

Unawatuna

2009-04-07T22:59:00.000-07:00

The discovery channel once named the 'Unawatuna Bay Beach' as the best beach in the world so don't forget to enjoy the beauty of the worlds best beach.It is a stunning tropical beach.The Unawatuna beach is ideal for safe swimming,scuba diving,snorkeling.If you want to learn surfing this is one of the best bays in Sri Lanka.Diving in Sri Lanka is part of the whole experience, watching Turtles manoeuvre their bulky bodies with such grace, can only be experienced in their environment, under the water.
You will find some of the best sea food in Sri Lanka in Unawatuna and it caters for every taste & budget.You will come across Delicious local specialties and many Western specialties ranging from pizza to steaks can be found all over town.

Nuwara Eliya

2009-04-07T22:43:00.000-07:00

Nuwara Eliya is blessed a with salubrious climate and you come across some breathtaking views of valleys, meadows, mountains and greenery.it's very hard to imagine that Nuwara Eliya is only 180 Km from the hot and humid city of Colombo.Nuwara Eliya,the 'city of lights' is also known as 'Little' England'.nuwara eliya was the favourite hill station of the British who tried to create Nuwara Eliya into a typical English Village.The old brick Post office and country house like hill club, with it's hunting pictures,mounted hunting trophies and fish, and it's strict formal dinner attire; the 18 hole golf course,..,all remind you of 'England'.

You can visit 'Botanic garden at Hakgala and it is the second largest garden in Sri Lanka.It is situated in salubrious environment and it provides charm and cold atmosphere with picturesque beauty by its own landscape.Many blooms seen in various sections in garden.Small water steams run across the garden and wooden bridges built over them has enhanced the natural beauty.

Don't forget to visit Horton plains when you are in Nuwara Eliya.A lot of rivers of Sri Lanka is starting from Horton plains. Water of this place is very cold and very pure. Everyday we can see many foreigners come to this place.Most of them search for animals.Leopard is endemic to this place even though to search the leopard is very difficult task.However some person find this secret animals and show others. Walikukula is also endemic bird of which lot of foreigners follow and take photos.

You will be able to visit very beautiful water falls such as Laksapana Falls,Devon Falls in Nuwara Eliya

Hikkadiwa Beach

2009-04-07T22:21:00.000-07:00

The beach of Hikkaduwa is situated 98 km from Colombo towards the south of Sri Lanka. This fun coastal town 14 km from Galle was the first (1960's) of Sri Lanka's beautiful beaches to be discovered by tourists. Snorkeling and diving in the clear waters are the major past-time along this stretch and is the most environmentally friendly way to see the colorful fish that dart around.The coral sanctuary found on the coast of Hikkaduwa is a large shallow body of water enclosed by a reef, decorated with layers of multi colored corals, witch is home to countless number of colorful fish. Off the beach there is a collection of tine islets surrounded by beautiful coral formations. Many species of fish and large turtles are found here.There are more than four different shipwrecks for diving enthusiasts to explore along with dive shops offering PADI courses and equipment.Plenty of beachfront accommodation and a reputation as the second best surf spot in Sri Lanka by the international board-riding set, and the reason so many visit Hikkaduwa is blatantly clear

Some attractions that might be of interest for anyone, include "Buddies" restaurant where you can get anything from a beef sandwich to a full lobster, also if you don't fancy staying in a crowded hotel little guesthouses are available.
After a shot distance southwards from the center of the reef, it diminishes given rise to a wider sandy bottomed beach with good waves ideal for board surfing and body surfing. You can always rent the necessary equipment needed for snorkeling and surfing. Hikkaduwa is an established tourist destination and the surfing there is quite well known. You won't see the Indonesian style overcrowding here though. The reef is coral so a first aid kit and booties are handy. Localism is usually not a problem though we have seen some tourists get some hassle. Respect them and they leave you alone pretty much.
There are many shops selling Masks, Gems, Jewellery, Batik, Antiques and etc. along with several Buddhist temples, all which add spice to life at Hikkaduwa

Kandy

2009-04-07T22:10:00.001-07:00

Kandy is the last kingdom of Sri Lanka.It was conquered by the British on 1815 and because of that one may still see the living traditions.The major place in Kandy to visit is the Temple Tooth.It houses a tooth that came from the mouth of the Lord Buddhs,and is one of the most holy shrines in Sri Lanka.The traditional kandy perahera is held in August.It is a pageant at night and it is very colourful.you will see many elephants and many traditional Kandyan dancing teams.You may buy a ticket for a seat or you can see it with the crowd.If you go to "Kandyan Cultural Center" you can see this traditional form of dancing near the Kandy lake.

The Royal Botanical Garden in Kandy is the best botanical gardens in Sri Lanka as well as in the region.You will be able to see many of the species in the region there.It has a nice orchid house and a forest garden.It is situated near the University of Peradeniya.

You can also visit Buddhist temples around kandy city which are having very high tourist attraction. Gadaladeniya, Lankathilaka Viharaya, Embekke Devalaya, Dodanwala Devalaya,Degaldoruwa, Hindagala Viharaya, Madawala Viharaya and Galmaduwa Viharaya are the most famous temples around.

Wonderful place in kandy which one must not forget to see is The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage.you will find lots of elephants roaming freely around.Feeding the baby elephants and bathing the bigger ones can be seen which is absolutely enjoyable.This is little far fron the city and you will have to drive to get there.

Kandy is most important proponent of Sri Lankan arts and crafts. Kandy is the place where the elites patronised these crafts during 300 years of struggle with the Europeans. One can buy exquisite handicrafts in Kandy. Shops catering to the tourists abound in Kandy. Kandyan Art Association is the perfect place to buy souvenirs.

At Kundasale village, near Kandy, a village has been established recently to settle local craftsmen and their families. Visitors could watch craft men at work and purchase their products on site.

Sigiriya-The Rock Fortress

2009-04-07T21:25:00.000-07:00

The Sigiriya fortress (Lion's rock) is an ancient rock fortress situatued in central "Mathale District" of Sri Lanka.There you find a palace and garden complex centering a 200 metre high rock.This is unofficially known as the 8th wonder of the world because the ancient technology used in this palace and garden has supriced even the modern architecture.Sigriya is Sri Lanka's most recognizable landmark and has been declared as a World Heritage Site....Sigiriya,the ancient castle was build by king Kashyapa during the 5th century AD.This site has the ruins of an upper palace on the flat top of the rock, a mid level terrace which consists of the Lion Gate and the mirror wall with its frescoes,in the lower palace you can see motes,walls and gardens covering hundreds of meters over the base of the rock.Sigiriya is a palace as well as a fortress,and it is still has sufficient ruins to provide tourists with a stunning flashback into the age of its great builders!

Sigiriya is considered as one of the most important and most advanced sites of urban planning in the first millennium.This site is a wonderful example of how to interlock the geometrical planned the natural surroundings.The water retaining structures which are contained in the park includes sophisticated sub/surface hydraulic systems and some of them are even working today!

Talking about Sigiriya, one can't forget the famous maidens.John still,the discoverer of the Sigiriya ruins had observed that "The whole face of the hill appears to have been a gigantic picture gallery...the largest picture in the world perhaps".....these paintings which are covering the western face ofthe rock are about 140 meters long and about 40 meters high.But very many of them can be seen today.

One of another famous aspect of Sigiriya,is the mirror wall,a highly polished rock surface that has weathered the times to shine and reflect even today.

Adventures and Sports

2009-04-07T20:30:00.000-07:00

Sri Lanka is an ideal place for adventure seekers. The island country offers excellent adventure sport facilities. One can enjoy windsurfing, diving, snorkeling, rafting, canoeing and trekking in Srilanka.and many other adventure stuff like Biking, White Water Rafting, Water Sports, Surfing, Horse Riding, Para Gliding, Rock Climbing etc.Windsurfing-May to September-Hikkaduwa on the southwestern coast and BentotaDiving & Snorkeling-November to April -Hikkaduwa and Tangalla on the west coast, Unawatuna on the south coast and Nilaveli on the east coast

See Culture, Ancient Art & Architecture

2009-04-07T05:06:00.000-07:00

Srilanka has a unique history which runs up to 300 B.C.So it is enriched with many arts and cultural stuff.Ruins of ancient history can be seen mainly in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.In the country's capital Colombo, the clock tower, the president's residence, the Galle Face Green, National Museum, the Art Gallery, numerous mosques and Buddhist and Hindu temples, the Dehiwala Zoo finds abode.The port of Galle is a splendid place in itself. The Dutch Fort, Dutch houses, museums and churches should not be missed. The fine beaches at Unuwatuna, Weligama and Tangalla are definitely worth a visit.Dalada maligawa in Kandy which houses the sacred tooth of Buddha and the dalada perahera concidered to be great cultural stuff in the asian region.

Beach Holliday

2009-04-07T01:36:00.001-07:00

Enjoy the sun in the beach with lots of fruits around.Have swimming, snorkeling or diving.Taste the Srilankan seafood like Prawns, Lobster, Crab, Cuttle Fish and cocktails.Everything in the finest way.Join the tourists who have enjoyed and wanted to have it again and again.See how relaxing. a Srilankan beach holiday.

Srilanka's southern coastal belt has many pockets of absolutely gorgeous flat and wide sandy beaches. The lagoons found in this area make safe all-year round swimming. Bentota has possibly the best beach in the entire south coast, while Hikkaduwa is famed for its corals and water-based activities like diving and snorkeling. The south coast is affected by the south-west monsoon from May to September, so the best time to enjoy the south coast beaches are from November to April.

Scuba Diving

2009-04-07T01:32:00.000-07:00

Srilanka offers world-class Scuba-Diving and Snorkelling tours. A many of tropical fish, magnificently colourful coral reefs and fascinating ship wrecks can be explored at several locations off the south coast of Sri Lanka.Those places include Hikkaduwa, Weligama and Kirinda provide unbelievable cuba diving opportunities and also Nilaveli is a paradise of turquoise-coloured waters and abundant fish and coral life make it the ultimate underwater experience.

Heal Yourself With Ayurveda

2009-04-07T01:23:00.000-07:00

Ayurveda is a health system that has been practiced in Sri Lanka and India for ages. It relies solely on natural medicine. Ayurveda has helped even in cases that seemed hopeless where western medicine has failed. It does not give the patient local treatment of individual organs, but treats him as a whole.

The Ayurvedic remedies act on the total body, strengthen the power of resistance and promote healing. Ayurveda is conducive to your health, provides you with new vital energy, prevents and corrects the ageing process. An Ayurveda treatment helps combat chronic illnesses and at the same time frees you from psychological burdens. Ayurveda among other things provides swift relief in cases of rheumatic diseases such as arthrosis (signs of over- strain in spine and joints), arthritis, muscle tenseness, restriction of movement, disturbances of the vegetative nervous system such as disturbed sleep, nervousness, exhaustion, tiredness, excitability or irritability, migraine and other forms of headache, heart ailments connected to nervousness, high blood pressure, depression, chronic inflammation such as para nasal sinus inflammation, bronchitis, inflammation of the bladder, susceptibility to colds, skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, skin allergy, asthma, stomach or intestinal disorders, overweight or nicotine misuse. Ayurveda is recommended to all those seeking inward balance, a long and healthy life and to all those who like to experience the fullness of life.

Elephant and Wild Life safari

2009-04-07T00:56:00.001-07:00

Elephant back safaris in Sri Lanka are one of the newest and most thrilling safari experiences in Sri Lanka.Most favourite places for an elephant safaries are Yala and Pinnawala Safari in jungles here in safari jeeps or eleph ants.With well experienced 'Elephant Trackers'.Including Camping in the jungles.these safaris not only make it possible to view wildlife from the back of an elephant, but perhaps more importantly, provide the unique opportunity to share a day in the life of the elephant.It is a luxurious adventure resulting life long memories.

Bird Watching

2009-04-07T00:22:00.000-07:00

Srilanka is a perfect place for bird watching.Bird Santuaries like Kumana, Bundala, Willpattu, Bellanwila and prime bird watching locations like Sinharaja, Kitugala, Udawatta Kale, Minipe promizes to give you a wonderful bird watching experience.

Srilanka also has about 25 endemic birds and many other migrant birds who came for the warmer climate and food.
The best time for bird watching would be November-April.About 198 migrants arrive on February and March.

Early morning is the best time of the day for bird watching but people friendly “Townies”, like the black house crows, common mynah, sunbirds, parakeets, etc.Sinharaja and Horton Plains is ideal places for the "birder" and family enjoyment places like Yala, Bundala and Uda Walawe are more easily accessible.

Rainforest of Kitulgala and Sinharaja
This place is a famous or rather favourite place of many tourists.Take time to really enjoy this unique rainforest and its sounds for a few days by staying close by at the luxurious Boulder Gardens.You can see Srilanka's most of the endemic birds.
Yala National Park
Yala is the only reliable region to see endangered Black-necked Stork, Sri Lanka’s biggest bird, at marshy edges of lakes – only a handful of breeding pairs remaining.It is about 500 square miles of 'Dry Zone'.Guided jeep would be ideal for exploring the area.The park is closed in September due to mating season.
Lahugala Park
Many water birds can be seen in the elephant corridor of Lahugala.
Bundala NP and Winawela Wewa Bird Sanctuary
This is the place to see flamingos – up to 2000 at a time.Jungle fowl, egrets, spoonbills and lapwings can also be seen here.
Uda Walawe National Park
Jeep safaris can be enjoyed here which you will find Deer, Wild boar, jackals and many elephants while seeking out the bird life.