Tourist Attractions & Monuments Sri Lanka

These falls, located 6 km south of Ella, on the main road between Ella and Wellawaya, are 25 meters high. Impressive and very popular, the source of the falls is the Bandarawala Hill Oya reservoir, the water then flows into the Kirindi Oya reservoir. The site is quite steep, swimming is forbidden and the police makes regular rounds to remove offenders from the natural pools. A Canadian tourist died in 2016 following a fatal fall on the slippery rocks.

The fortress of Sigiriya is registered with the world heritage of UNESCO since 1982. The visit is recommended early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat.

History. In the^5th century, Dhatusena ruled over Anuradhapura. He had two sons, Mogallana and Kasyapa. In order to obtain the throne which was to be rightfully his elder brother's, Kasyapa first plotted against his father, murdered him, and then expelled Mogallana. Mogallana found refuge in India after swearing that he would return to avenge his father's death. Tormented by this idea, the regicide king quickly decided to leave Anuradhapura and settle in Sigiriya, where he built an impregnable fortress and lived a reclusive life in fear of his older brother's return. Eighteen years later, Mogallana returned at the head of an army and, despite the magnificent work, Kasyapa and his troops were unable to withstand the siege that was inflicted on them. Starving and exhausted, Kasyapa resigned himself to surrender to his brother who executed him. After having taken back the usurped throne, Mogallana abandoned Sigiriya, ephemeral capital from 477 to 495.

The royal gardens.

The path that leads to the foot of the fortress crosses pleasant gardens (water gardens, stone gardens and terraced gardens). Past the magnificent basins, one discovers fallen rocks as well as several cavities undoubtedly intended formerly to shelter monks. One of the most famous is called "Cobra Hood Cave" because of the shape of the rock that overhangs it. All these caves were recently uncovered by excavations conducted by UNESCO.

The Demoiselles of Sigiriya. These very famous rock frescoes are to be deserved, they are reached by taking an iron spiral staircase in which it is sometimes necessary to wait patiently, because the number of people who can use it simultaneously is limited. Drawn on the wall of an under-rock shelter, they represent those who were called the Damsels of Sigiriya - if it is said that Kasyapa was surrounded by a thousand courtesans, it is probably more a representation of asparas, these celestial nymphs of the Hindu religion known for their great beauty. Originally, there were some five hundred portraits of young women in the gallery halfway up the hill. Only twenty-one remain today, protected from light and weather, of which a dozen are in a remarkable state of preservation.

The mirror wall.

Continuing towards the top, one passes along a "mirror" wall (the stucco that covers it was originally so perfectly polished that one could look into it). This wall is covered with graffiti, some of which are actually prose and poems written between the 7th and 18th centuries by illustrious visitors.

The door of the lion.

We then reach a plateau where the lion's gate is located. Of the giant statue of the lion which stood guard and undoubtedly terrified the visitors, it remains only the imposing legs resting on both sides of a first staircase. It is then necessary to take again the ascent by climbing the steps of a metallic staircase sealed in the rocky wall.

The summit.

By reaching the top of the rock, at a height of 180 m, we notice that there is only little left of the palace: some foundations and a part of the staircase... Only the royal swimming pool is perfectly preserved.

It is on the banks of the lake of Kandy, last capital of the Sinhalese kingdom, that was built at the beginning of the XVIIIth century, the Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth. Its construction was completely finished in 1782. The temple, which is part of the royal palace of Kandy, houses the relic of the "Sacred Tooth" of Buddha. The city, which dominates at an altitude of nearly 500 meters, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, partly because of this major site, a perfect example of religious fervor in the country.

The symbolism of the place

Behind this relic of the tooth, there is a whole symbolism. The story goes that it was saved from the flames of the funeral pyre in 543 BC. It would then have lived a long journey between Ceylon and India before ending its journey in the Kingdom of Kandy. This story is important for the Sri Lankan people, indeed, for years and still today, the possession of this tooth is synonymous with power. Legend has it that the holder of the tooth has the "divine right to rule the country". This is probably why it is so well guarded.

Over the years, the temple has undergone several reconstructions and renovations, notably following attacks in 1989 and 1998 (since then, security has been highly reinforced). Each time, the temple was rebuilt identically. Note that it took nearly four years to restore its luster to the site, heavily damaged by the attack of January 25, 1998. It is one of the most important Buddhist sites to visit in Sri Lanka.

Every day, the tooth is subjected to three ceremonies during which it is exposed by the monks. On Wednesday, the relic is carefully washed with sacred water, which is then used by the monks of the temple for its virtues.

The enclosure of the temple includes several buildings or places to visit

The Vahahitina Maligawa, the Alut Maligawa, the Sri Dalada Museum, the Mangul Maduwa and the Rahja Pavilion. The entrance fee gives you access to all of them, as well as the loan of an audioguide in French. You will walk around the site barefoot and must leave your shoes at the main entrance. Respectful dress is required.

The sanctuary (Vahahitina Maligawa). Composed of two levels, it is located in the center of a paved courtyard. It is in this sanctuary that the tooth of the Awakened One is located. The relic is kept on the upper level in seven golden boxes placed one inside the other. If you cannot approach the tooth, the room in which it is kept is worth a visit: the elephant tusks at the entrance are sublime. The passage in front of the tooth is possible every day, at a precise hour. The crowd present only allows a passage in line but the permanent spectacle of the devotees on the spot and the atmosphere which reigns around the reliquary are impressive.

Alut Maligawa and Sri Dalada Museum. Open every day from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. On the other side of the shrine, by the opposite exit from your arrival, a three-story building. On the first floor, the Alut Maligawa contains about thirty Buddhas donated by Thai devotees. On the upper two floors, the Sri Dalada Museum is devoted to the display of objects related to the temple and the region as well as correspondence. You can also see a series of photos testifying to the attack perpetrated against the temple by the LTTE in 1998.

Rajha Tusker Museum (Rajha pavilion). Open daily from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. Following the Mangul Maduwa. This pavilion is dedicated to the patriarch of the Kandy elephants, who died in 1988 at the age of 84. You will find his remains preserved here, behind a large glass case. Rajha, as he was called, traditionally carried the relic of the Tooth in the Esala Perahera procession and was given a state funeral.

Mangul Maduwa (Audience Hall). Exiting from the left side of the shrine, you come to the Audience Hall. It is an open hall with a roof supported by 65 carved wooden pillars. It was begun in 1783 but not finished until much later. It was here that the Kandyan chiefs ratified the cession of the kingdom to the British crown in 1815.

The Perahera festival (festival of the tooth), a colorful parade.

If the visit of this temple can be done all year long, it is during the festival of Perahera, that it is all the more interesting. This festival exists since the 18th century, when the relic of the tooth was still in the possession of the King of Kandy. The people, then, never had the opportunity to see it and thus to venerate it. It is for this reason that King Rajasingh, decided to organize an event during which, the people could also come to honor this tooth.

Since then, every year at the same time of the year (end of July - beginning of August), and this for 10 days, at nightfall, the holy city of Kandy reveals another facet. On the program: first big stage of the festival, during which the jackfruit is cut into 4 pieces before being planted (each part represents a deity). Then, it is from the 6th night that the festival begins to beat its fullness: dancers, musicians, elephants dressed and made up parade for the greatest happiness of the crowd. People come to see the many elephants parade, the oldest of them, carrying a replica of the relic, security forces. The ceremony ends during the day.

You will enter one of the most beautiful gardens in Asia, which is most beautiful between January and April. It is a unique opportunity to wander through 60 hectares of flowers, where 4,000 tropical species of various origins brought back by the English grow. You will see orchids, spices, medicinal plants and a wide variety of palm trees. During your visit, don't forget the Orchid House, which contains the most diverse and original species of the genre. The other "highlight" of the garden is the cannonball tree, planted in 1901 by King George V and Queen Mary. Its fruits are supposed to look like cannonballs.

The site on which the botanical garden is located, on the banks of the Mahaweli River, is rich in history. King Wickramabahu III occupied the throne at Peradeniya in 1371. His successors Kirti Sri and Rajadhi Rajasinghe kept the court at the same place. They built a temple which was destroyed by the British when they took over the Kingdom of Kandy. In 1821, Alexander Moon transformed the land into a coffee and cinnamon plantation. The botanical garden was developed from 1843 with plants brought from Colombo, Kew Gardens, Kalutara Garden and Slave Island. The garden grew over the years and was placed under the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture when it was established in 1912. The garden also served as the headquarters of Lord Mountbatten, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in South East Asia during the Second World War.

In the heart of the island and a wild nature, this exceptional site, perched on a hill, is classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1991. This temple-cave has been a high place of pilgrimage and Buddhist meditation for over twenty centuries. Its origin dates back to the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. This cave monastery impresses for the way it has been preserved: the state of its murals dating from the 13th century (period of the Kandy kings) and recounting the life of Buddha are a perfect example. These frescoes cover a total of 6,000^m2 of walls. Between the twelfth and eighteenth centuries, the temple was transformed, it has undergone many restorations that have made it a sanctuary of color, gold and silver with a total of 5 caves, housing 157 statues.

The origin of this temple dates back to the 1st century BC, when King Vattagamani Abhaya, who fled Anuradhapura to seek refuge in Dambulla in 104 BC, created the cave complex when his title was restored. A huge golden Buddha, donated by Japanese benefactors in 2000, stands at the base of the site, overlooking the Buddhist Museum. The Golden Temple is actually reached some 150 m higher, by stairs on the left of the Buddhist Museum, carved in the stone and invaded by monkeys. The ascent is neither long nor exhausting, and, when the weather is good, the walk is particularly enjoyable.

The Golden Temple is a modern (and very kitsch) temple located at the base of Rock Temple. Its style is very different from the marvelous caves located higher... In short, its visit is dispensable. It was built in 2001 thanks to donations from Japanese benefactors and houses the Buddhist Museum. There are mainly reproductions of Rock Temple paintings and several statues and images of Buddha from local donations but also from all over Asia. Golden Temple is overlooked by a huge golden Buddha Statue.

Rock Temple

Once past the entrance, one enters a vast and long outside courtyard offering a superb view of the area. On the other side of the courtyard, under the rock, a passageway, whose architecture was reworked in 1938, allows individual access to each of the five rooms. Warning: shoulders and knees must be covered inside.

The finely executed frescoes that you are about to discover were renovated in the 13th century. They cover a total of 6,000 square meters of walls and are one of the richest examples of cave art in the world. They are completed by 157 statues (mainly of Buddha) of all sizes. The largest of the rooms measures 52 m by 23 m and 7 m high. The caves now transformed into sanctuaries are only a few of the 80 or so in the vast complex dug out over 22 centuries. The entrances to these "forgotten" caves were walled up as the history of the site progressed. The earliest records of the site date back to the first century AD, when King Vattagamani Abhaya, who had fled Anuradhapura in the face of Indian invaders, took refuge in these caves, which were already occupied by monks.

First hall (Dev Raja Viharaya - Temple of the King of Gods). It owes its name to the god Vishnu whose statue can be found inside. There is a large fresco representing the parinivana, i.e. the end of Buddha's earthly existence and his entry into nirvana, as well as a superb 15 m long statue of a reclining Buddha, and others represented sitting

Second hall (Maha Raja Viharaya - Temple of the Great King). This is the largest hall. It is said to be named after its investigator, who is believed to be King Vattagamani Abhaya. Two statues of kings are placed inside, one of Valagamba, the other of Nissanka Malla, as well as several Hindu deities such as Kataragama, Ganesh, Vishnu and Wat Sama, no less than fifty-three statues of Buddha in various positions and a stupa surrounded by statues of seated Buddhas. The walls are entirely covered with frescoes representing the life of Gautama and the spread of Buddhism on the island.

Third hall (Maha Alut Viharaya - New Great Temple). It is the most recent one. It was built by order of King Kirti Sri Rajasinha whose statue can be seen near the entrance of the hall. There are two large statues of Buddha, one seated under an arch dominated by dragons, and one lying down reminiscent of the statue in Hall 1. One can also appreciate a collection of Buddhas carved in the rock of the hall, and many colorful frescoes representing many seated Buddhas

Fourth hall (Pascima Viharaya - Western Temple). One can contemplate about fifty statues of Buddha seated in meditation performing the dhyana mudra with his hands. The central statue is dominated by a magnificent torana painted in bright colors. Bring a lamp to admire the ceiling which is completely covered with paintings.

Fifth Hall (Devana Alut Viharaya - Second New Temple). This is the newest of the halls. Here too, there is a reclining Buddha, surrounded by numerous statues of reclining and standing Buddhas. Above two of them, one can notice Muchalinda in the form of a cobra, which protected Buddha during his meditation.

Adam's Peak is one of the most important mountains in Sri Lanka, both geographically and religiously. Its peak is 2,243 meters high. Revered by the first inhabitants of Sri Lanka, the Veddas, who called it Samanala Kanda (Saman, one of the four guardian deities of the island), its summit has what is believed to be a footprint carved into the stone. Buddhists see it as a symbol of the third (and last) passage of Buddha in Sri Lanka. The Portuguese dedicated it in the 16th century to Saint Thomas, the evangelizer of India. The Hindus see in it the trace of the passage of Vishnu or Shiva. Finally, the Muslims have decreed that it is the imprint of Adam, who, driven out of the Garden of Eden, was sent to this peak and condemned to remain on one foot for a thousand years. The mark in the stone attracts crowds of pilgrims every year from the full moon in December to the full moon in May (the busiest period is January-February). Two main ways (north and south) allow to reach the summit where a temple is located. The northern route is the easiest and allows to reach the destination in 3 hours of walk from Nallathianniya.

Several stations, spaced 1.5 to 2 kilometers apart, allow pilgrims to rest on the 7 kilometers and 5,831 steps that separate them from the summit from Nallathianniya. Their names are Gangula Thanna, Rathu Ambalama and Idikatu Pahana. They are well supplied with shops.

Many temples(Ambalama) are also scattered along the way which becomes more and more difficult as the climb progresses.

The climb really begins once you pass the beautiful Makara Thorana stone gate, about 1.5 kilometers from the bridge over the river at the exit of Nallathianniya. However, the seven kilometers of the route are counted from Nallathianniya (Police Station) to the top.

SamaChatiya, the World Peace Pagoda, which is located a little before Gangula Thanna, the first rest station, was built in 1976 by the famous Japanese Buddhist monk Nichidatsu Fuhi Thero (1885-1985).

A devotee of non-violence, he organized large marches from 1931 onwards and was responsible for the construction of about 80 Peace Pagodas around the world.

Sri Pada Maluwa. This small whitewashed temple at the top of Sri Pada is surrounded by a walkway that can accommodate a maximum of half a dozen people. Inside the sanctuary, which is relatively simple, is the sacred footprint. On a clear day, the shadow of the mountain can be discerned, straight and perfectly vertical, amidst the mist. This unexplainable natural phenomenon is said to be unique in the world.

According to the ancient Sinhalese, the distance between Ceylon and Paradise was only 40 miles and one could hear from the top of the mountain the sound of the fountains of Paradise. Sri Pada is also called "Butterfly Mountain" because in March of each year, millions of butterflies fly to its summit to die. The ascent is usually done at night to enjoy the breathtaking sunrise. It is necessary to bring adequate clothing, because the nights can be fresh. A headlamp can also be useful. Once the sun rises, the sky becomes hazy and the panorama disappears little by little.

A Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Naga Pooshani Amman (Naga Meenakshi). Naga means 'snake' or 'cobra', but also refers to the original inhabitants of the island, worshippers of the snake god, who populated the west and north of Sri Lanka between the 6th century BC and the 3rd century. Legend has it that the building was built by a merchant who received a vision of the goddess while crossing the sea and that when the Portuguese demolished it in the 16th century, the statue of the goddess was hidden in a nearby tree. The temple was rebuilt in 1788.

Pidurangala is a rocky promontory, about 1 kilometre as the crow flies north of the Sigiriya fortress (3 kilometres by road). It houses an ancient Buddhist monastic complex, Pidurangala Cave Temple. This monastery was developed in the^5th century by King Kashyapa. Access is via the Pidurangala Vihara, a more recent temple, and then up some steep stairs to the ancient temple and its large reclining Buddha statue, then a bit of climbing to reach the top. From the top of the rock, the view on Sigiriya and the surroundings is fantastic.

A must in Jaffna, the central market offers an incomparable choice of scents and colours. This is where the heart of the city beats! Many stalls and merchants offer fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers, sweets, handicrafts, clothes and utensils of all kinds. And, of course, you can taste some local specialities on the spot. Don't hesitate to deepen your visit by strolling the neighbouring streets up to Stanely Road, including the part of Kasthuria Road nicknamed Street's Jeweller: the street of the jewellers.

You can't miss this impressive baobab located east of the market. It is the pride of the village and everyone will tell you about it. Despite the success of this tree, you should know that there are several others on the road leading to Talaimannar and that there are sixty of them between Mannar and Jaffna. The one in front of you is estimated to be 700 years old, measuring 19.51 m in circumference and 7.5 m in height. It is believed that baobabs were introduced by Arab traders and that their leaves were used as fodder for camels.

Little Adam's Peak, which refers to the famous Adam's Peak, is a hill that dominates the area (1,141m). It is about an hour's walk to the top of the hill from the road that starts at the intersection with Passara-Namunukula Road, about 2 km from Ella. The view is splendid. The hike is easy except at the end where there are some steep stairs to the top. The trail passes through small villages, then gets lost in a forest of eucalyptus and pine trees before returning to a tea plantation.

The four main buildings in the holy city are Thuparama Dagoba, Ruvanveliseya Stupa, Abhayagiri Dagoba and Jetawanarama Dagoba. Access and ticketing is located near the archaeological museum. There are several other ticket booths located at the various intersections around the city, and if you need a guide, please contact the museum. The distancesare relatively large between the northern part, located in Mahamevuna Park, and the central and southern part of the sacred city. It is worth considering renting a bicycle.

This viaduct, which is supported by nine massive arches, is designed for train traffic. It is located at Gotuwala, between Ella and Demodara stations. It was built in 1921, during the British colonial period and is 91.5 m long, 7.5 m wide and 24 m high. A real postcard of Sri Lanka, tourists flock to admire it and, if possible, to see a train passing by... The access from the east is relatively easy, except for the last few meters with a rather steep descent not recommended for people with reduced mobility.

This Buddhist temple is one of the most important in Colombo. It dates from 1885 and was founded by the monk Hikkaduwe Sri Sumanagala Nayaka Thera. It is composed of several buildings whose architecture uses Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian and Chinese styles. It is particularly representative of Buddhist temples in that it includes a main temple, a pagoda, a sacred tree symbolizing spiritual awakening(bodhi tree) and an assembly hall for the monks. The number of accumulated objects makes the place look like an antique market.

The temple was built to house a monk. Don Bastian, a wealthy shipowner, bought the swampy land and had it drained and refloated at great expense. The temple was built with the help of the community. The sacred tree comes from Anuardhapura and was planted by Don Bastian.

Since 1979, the Navam Perahera festival is held every year in February and is the most important religious event in Colombo. On this occasion, there is a big procession in front of the temple. This is led by an elephant carrying an altar in which a relic of Buddha is placed. The procession involves a hundred elephants, a multitude of monks, drummers, musicians, dancers... And a crowd that came in large numbers.

The Seema Malakaya Temple, located on the nearby Beira Lake, is attached to the Gangaramaya Temple. This one was financed by a Muslim patron. This group of temples reflects inter-religious tolerance.

Negombo is one of the largest fishing centers in the country. The morning fish market here is worth getting up early to visit. In fact, there are two markets located about 1 kilometer apart. This one is the newer of the two, the more popular one too. It was inaugurated in 2008 with the aim of developing the tourist aspect of the city. And it works, because you won't be alone wandering through its alleys from early morning. It's an exotic sight that will delight photography enthusiasts in particular.

It is the major set of Polonnaruwa: a group of 4 Buddhas of the XIIth century, carved on the side of the cliff. The rock has been hollowed out to a depth of nearly 4 meters to create the necessary relief for the statues. The first seated Buddha is in meditation on a throne decorated with lions. The second is surrounded by the two Hindu deities, Brahma and Vishnu. The third is standing and rises to 7 m. The fourth Buddha is lying down (14 m length). The whole complex is under renovation and has been covered with a corrugated iron roof to protect it.

Mihintale, "Mahinda's Mountain", is a sacred mountain. It was here, in 247 BC, that King Devanampiyatissa of Anuradhapura came across Mahinda, son of the Indian emperor Asoka, and converted to Buddhism. He thus allowed the religion to establish itself on the island. A sacred city was founded here, of which some beautiful ruins remain. You have to walk around them and climb 1,840 steps to reach the third level, and a few more to enjoy a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area. Pilgrims make this ascent at the time of the Poson full moon, in May or June. The visit takes between an hour and a half and two hours. The order shown below is that of the most common progression.

At the foot of the hill

The hospital. Mihintale was for many years an important health center. The ruins of what was once a hospital can still be seen at the foot of the mountain, with stone sarcophagi in which patients lay and were cared for.

Staircase. For those frightened by the announced 1,840 steps, Old Road, accessible to both pedestrians and cars, allows you to avoid them by emerging at the second landing.

First landing

Kanta Chetya. This 12-metre-high dagoba dates back to the ^2nd or ^1st century BC. A little further on, an engraved inscription is believed to be the oldest in Sri Lanka.

Second level

Refectory. Measures approximately 20 m by 8 m. Two nearby hollow stones were probably used to store food.

Relics room. This room contains the two steles on which are engraved the rules governing the life of the monks.

Meeting room. This is a square stone building, about 20 m square, where the monks used to meet.

Sinha Pokuna. A small basin decorated with friezes, overlooked by a stone lion almost 2 m tall.

Third level

Ambasthale Dagoba. This is said to have been built where Mahinda stood when he converted the king. A statue of the king stands here, facing a superb white seated Buddha.

Selta Chetiya. A Buddha footprint highlighted by a balustrade and prayer flags.

Mahaseya Dagoba. Believed to contain the relics of Mahinda. A Bo tree stands a few metres away.

Mahinda Cave. This is the rock shelter where Mahinda used to rest. A large, flat stone could have served as a bed.

Located on the south-eastern tip of the fort, this lighthouse is maintained by Sri Lanka Authority Ports. The original lighthouse, built in 1848 and which was the oldest in the country, was destroyed by a fire in 1934. It was rebuilt in 1938 and overlooks 27 meters sea level. It was rebuilt in 300 metres from the old lighthouse, on a rocky promontory, formerly occupied by the bastion of Utrecht. From there, it is impossible to miss a boat entering the port of Galle. A pedestrian path along the lighthouse leads to a small beach below.

Kandy Lake is known as Kiri Muhuda, or "the Sea of Milk". It was created at the foot of the Temple of the Tooth in 1807 by Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe, the last king of Kandy, in an area previously occupied by rice fields. Today it is part of the last vestiges of the Sri Lankan Kingdom. It is an artificial lake of 1.8 km long and 300 m wide. Initially owned by the King, it was later used by the British as a recreational base. On its northern bank and near the temple, one can see the old royal baths, transformed during the English colonization into a library and, in the center, a small island. This lake is surrounded by a wall, the construction of which has not been completed. In 1815, the King was arrested and imprisoned by the British and never finished his project. The walakulu wall (wall of theclouds) is therefore still in place.

Today, the lake is a pleasant place for everyone to come and relax and take a walk during the day or evening. The shaded path around the lake offers a beautiful view of the hills and the city. It is particularly popular with walkers and joggers. Boat trips are possible as well as shuttle transfers from one shore to the other. The place is secure because it is guarded by guards. The only drawback is that during the day, you may be solicited by a few assiduous sellers, looking for tourists.

The palace of Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) is located within the Citadel enclosure, in the centre of a complex of several buildings once reserved for the king and his relatives:

The royal palace (Vejayanta Pasada) , dedicated to the Hindu god of rain Indra, was 31 meters long and 13 meters wide and would have had 7 floors.

The Council Hall was the official seat of the king's government.

The royal baths (Kumara Pokuna) , entirely carved out of granite.