Sri Lanka Buddhist Pilgrim

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This was the capital of Sri Lanka from the 05th Century B.C. to the end of the 10th Century A.D. The city boasts about it’s dagobas. Ruvanveliseya built in the 2nd Century B.C. and is 300 feet in diameter, the Jetawanarama is 370 feet and one of the biggest structure in the ancient world. Thuparama Dagoba is preserved with 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. Anuradhapura is a “UNESCO World Heritage Site”. You may also visit Lovamahapaya, Abhayagiriya, Twin ponds, Samadhi Buddha statue if time permits.

Today morning you may visit the Aukana Buddha Statue, without a doubt, the most magnificent unharmed ancient image in the island. This 5th Century statue, credited to King Dhatusena, is 46 feet high, standing in an image house of which remains could be seen. It is situated 32 miles south-east of Anuradhapura via the great tank of Kalawewa. This is the most beautiful rock-cut standing Buddha Statue in the Island, if not the entire world. When returning visit Mihintale en-route, which also called the “Cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka”- it was here that the Buddhist doctrine was first preached by the monk ‘Mahinda’, son of Asoka, Emperor of India, to King Devanampiyatissa more than 2000 years ago. Mihintale - ‘the hill of Mahinda’ is approached by a magnificent, wide, ancient stone stairway of 1,840 steps. This is the World’s first declared sanctuary from 247 B.C. and continues to be one up to this day. Some of the monuments found here are the oldest in the country and the large number of Brahmi inscriptions dates from the 3rd century B.C. Kantaka Cetiya, Ambastala Dagoba, Maha Thupa, At Vehera, Alms Hall, Girihandu Seya, Indikatu Seya, Old Hospital and Kaludiya Pokuna are some of the interesting sites at Mihintale.

The second ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, The city of Polonnaruwa was also called as Jananathamangalam during the short Chola reign. The real Polonnaruwa Hero of the history books is actually his grandson, Parakramabahu I. It was his reign that is considered the Golden Age of Polonnaruwa, when trade and agriculture flourished under the guidance of the King, who was firm that no drop of water falling from the heavens was to be wasted, and each to be used toward the development of the land. The irrigation systems are far superior than compared to the Anuradhapura era. The greatest of these systems is the Parakrama Samudraya or the Sea of Parakrama. Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned Archeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom's first rulers and this has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Today morning you may proceed to climb the Sigirya rock fortress. The “Fortress in the sky” and see the remains of the Palace on the summit, Lion-staircase, Sigiri Graffiti (5th – 13th C.A.D) the Mirror Wall, Paintings of the Damsels-Light coloured (Vijjulatha) and Dark coloured (Meghalatha) in ‘Frescoen-secco and the beautifully designed pleasure garden (Water garden,boulder garden) the caves with pre-Christian inscriptions, remains of inner & outer fortifications. Thereafter proceed to the hotel in Sigiriya for your overnight stay. Simply relax at the hotel.

After breakfast visit the Dambulla Cave Temples. (5 caves) dating from 1st C.B.C to 18th C.A.D. These Temples contains the largest painted surface of 21,000 sq. feet of Buddhist murals, large number of Buddha statues (more than 150), statues of Gods and Kings in the caves. Then proceed to Ibbankatuwa (3 miles away) a “Megalithic” Burial site, spread in an area of more than 10 acres. See more than 10 graves excavated and conserved. Thereafter proceed to Kandy. Afternoon visit the Royal Palace of Kandy (now a museum), Vishnu Devala, Natha Devala, Audience Hall, Other buildings used by the Queens and Ministers. Visit the temple of the Tooth Relic in the evening to witness the “ Pooja” (offerings). Overnight stay will be in Kandy.

Today morning in Kandy once again visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic after photographing from the garden in front, the Audience Hall, the Royal Palace (remains) from the road in front and the Sacred Tooth Relic proper, in the central courtyard, the Island in the lake and the bathing pavilion and any other places of interest. Take the Upper Lake drive for city views, Kandy Market for fruits, vegetable and people. Thereafter visit the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. Photograph in some of the beautiful avenues, in the Orchid House, beautiful trees, flowering creepers and ferns, the Royal Palm Avenue with the Bullock Cart you can hire for photographs and leave for Gadaladeniya & Lankatilake Buddhist Temples dating to 14th Century. You can visit a place where brass work is done near Gadaladeniya Temple. If interested you can visit Embekke Devala close to Lankatilake, where woodcarving is found in all the pillars in the main open hall. More than 500 separate designs are found dating to 14th C. Evening go for a Kandyan Dance performance, well in advance to select a suitable place for your photography.

Today morning after Breakfast you may proceed to Colombo. En-route visit the Degaldoruwa Temple which consists of the best-preserved paintings of the Kandyan period in a cave on a rock 40 feet in height. Devaragampola Silwat a renowned artist monk was responsible for the paintings. Thereafter proceed to Colombo and visiting Balana Fort, It is called Balana Kanda as it is a guard point to observe strangers entering Kandy, and Dawson’s tower this pillar was constructed in 1829 in memory of Captain William Francis Dawson who was responsible for the designing and construction of the motor road to Kandy. Check in at the hotel in Colombo.

This city is the business and commercial center and the new capital is Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte, only a few miles away. Colombo was only a small seaport, which came into prominence in the 16th Century with the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505 and the development of it as a major Harbour took place during the British period. Colombo became the capital of Sri Lanka in 1815 after Kandyan Kingdom was ceded to the British. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street - the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazaar area where there is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carvings, the Kayman’s Gate with the Belfry at the original gate to enter the Fort, the Dutch Church of Wolfendhaal dating back to 1749, Kelaniya Buddhist Temple dating to 6th C.B.C., Davatagaha Mosque, Colombo Museum are some of the sites to be visited. Also visit the BMICH (Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall), see the replica of Avukana Buddha in front and the Independence Memorial. Shop till you drop, Colombo is a shopping paradise for shoppers who always enjoy a good bargain on quality clothes and fashion accessory items. Visit to ODEL Unlimited, Stone ‘N’ String the famous fashion jewelry shop, Barefoot the famous shopping point for toys, bags, clothes, handloom fabric, Sarongs, Sarees, household linen, art, photography, books, furniture, House of Fashion, a large seven story mall, which has a wide variety of apparel, handbags, luggage and home décor at very reasonable prices, Colombo Dutch hospital shopping Mall, Independence square shopping complex are few we can recommend for you to visit amongst the many we have in the city.