A Tourist’s Paradise - Sri Lanka

One of the top performing industries in Sri Lanka is tourism. Most of the travelers visiting the country come from Great Britain, Australia, Canada, United States and India. To make the most of the trip, one has to see the top ten tourist spots in Sri Lanka.

Dambulla Cave Temple:

The Dambulla Cave Temple abreast Colombo and Kandy is the best preserved and best temple in the country. It is of stone and the caves are built inside a huge overhanging rock. Inside the caves, tourists can buy paintings and statues. The main attractions are the Cave of the Great Kings, the Cave of the Divine King and the Great New Monastery. 

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Polonnaruwa:

Polonnaruwa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  A must see locations are the Lankatilaka Temple, the Royal Palace and the Thuparama. Retail shops, restaurants and hotels are fast growing in this small city. 

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Anuradhapura:

One of the traditional cities in the country, Anuradhapura is known for its best preserved ruins. The place is just 206 km away from Colombo. The popular spots here are the Brazen Palace, the Sacred Bo-Tree and therefore the Nuwara Lake.

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Sigiriya:

Sigiriya is of the most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country, located at the heart of the district of Matale. The attractions include the Gardens of Sigriya, the Sigriya Rock & the Mirror Wall.

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Sacred City of Kandy:

The Sacred City of Kandy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Temple of the Tooth, the Royal Palace of Kandy and the Kandy Lake are the major tourist attractions.  

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Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage:

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is in Kegalle. In 2008, eighty four elephants lived here at this orphanage. It is open to public place daily. One can also watch the elephants bathing and eating and this is an enjoyable watch, especially with the kids.


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Hikkaduwa National Park:

The Hikkaduwa National Park is a wildlife altar at the southern part of the country. The abode is accepted for its cute apricot reefs. The abode  is home to some baptized breeds including sea worms, prawns and black tip beach shark.

Knuckles Mountain Range:

Knuckles Mountain Range begins at the northeast ancillary of Kandy. It is home to assorted flora and fauna. One can try their hands at hiking, bedrock aggressive and cycling.

Yala National Park:

The Yala National Park is close to Colombo. The Sri Lankan Elephant, the grizzled large squirrel and also the Indian Pangolin are the most famous sightings. Apart from these, Grey-headed Fish Eagle and Estuarine crocodiles are also popular.

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Kumana National Park:

The Kumana National Park is found in the eastern part of the country. The nearest city to the park is Hambantota. The park is home to different wildlife species like the Pacific Golden Plover, the Common Sandpiper and the Wild Boar. Other species at the park include the European Otter and the Fishing Cat.

Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with some breathtaking landscapes and attractions. And the best way to experience the beauty of the place is to opt for the different day trip destinations. 

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Author Bio: John Anderson is an ardent outdoor enthusiast who has a special interest in fishing adventures. He is from the land of the Down Under and has travelled almost all the wonderful places in the country and other part of the world in search of some great times and experiences. He is also a proficient author of several outdoor articles on travel with a bias towards boating and fishing.

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The Green Paradise Resort

The Green Paradise Resort is located in Dambulla , in the central province of Sri Lanka. Nestled in the jungles of the Cultural Triangle, the resort offers 67 ecologically appointed villas offering ultimate luxury and isolation with access to the nearby historical sites like the Dambulla Rock Temple and other cave temples dating back hundreds of years ago, Sigiriya Rock fortress and the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa as well as a gateway to the East Coast beaches of Sri Lanka. The distance from the international airport is about180 km ( reached within 3 to 4 hours , depending on the traffic flow ).

The resort is surrounded by nature and lush vegetation, and will guarantee you a great variety of services. Two Restaurants, Bar with a separate Bar lounge, Swimming Pool with Bar, Gym, Spa Centre with sauna, Shopping arcade, Wi-fi and internet connectivity, Sport area to practice cricket and soccer are just few services available at The Green Paradise!

Source :- View the Official site here



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Dambulla Cave Temple (Rangiri Dambulu Viharaya)

The Golden Buddha statue

Dambulla cave temple  also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 148 km east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains.There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Lord Buddha and his life. There total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings and 4 statues of gods and goddesses. The latter include two statues of Hindu gods, the god Vishnu and the god Ganesh. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square meters. Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara, and Buddha's first sermon.

Prehistoric Sri Lankans would have lived in these cave complexes before the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as there are burial sites with human skeletons about 2700 years old in this area, at Ibbankatuwa near the Dambulla cave complexes.

History

This temple complex dates back to the 1st century BC. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. In 1938 the architecture was embellished with arched colonnades and gabled entrances. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images following the contours of the rock. There are images of the Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses.
The Dambulla cave monastery is still functional and remains the best-preserved ancient edifice in Sri Lanka. This complex dates from the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, when it was already established as one of the largest and most important monasteries. King Valagambahu is traditionally thought to have converted the caves into a temple in the 1st century BC. Exiled from Anuradhapura, he sought refuge here from South Indian usurpers for 15 years. After reclaiming his capital, the King built a temple in thankful worship. Many other kings added to it later and by the 11th century, the caves had become a major religious centre and still are. King Nissanka Malla gilded the caves and added about 70 Buddha statues in 1190. During the 18th century, the caves were restored and painted by the Kandyan Kings.

Source :- View the Official site here

The Golden Temple Buddha in Dambulla, Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka

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Vil Uyana Luxury Boutique Hotel - Dambulla

Deep in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka an ancient marvel stands proud – the world renowned rock fortress of Sigiriya. A hotel that pays homage to its beauty and uniqueness, also sits hidden quietly in the plains of its shadow. Here, turn back 2000 years and imagine life as it was.
With a deep satisfied sigh the dark cloak of night gives in to the break of day. In the distance a lone Nightjar bids a last farewell. The eastern sky brightens with a rosy blush as wispy swirls of blue mist lets go of the water and hangs still in the air. A gentle breeze parts its soft veil to offer a fleeting glimpse of dark steeped silhouettes rising up above the lake, the occasional glow of golden lamps still twinkle invitingly.

Has one come upon an enchanted world? Where man and nature were once one and lived unhindered in perfect companionship? Could such a haven still exist? Deep in the heart of our island paradise it hides amongst the reeds, revealing its rustic treasures to those who seek its serene beauty, offering untold comforts fit for ancient royalty and the requisite indulgences for everyone in the present.
Welcome to the matchless wonder of Jetwing Vil Uyana – the privilege is yours. And when you have enjoyed all we have for you, you will discover why we are a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World too.

Location

In the heartland of Sri Lanka’s central plains and 163km from the capital Colombo, Jetwing Vil Uyana is a distinctively designed hotel in Sigiriya that offers you the best of rustic charms, modern comforts and an authentic glimpse at culture and traditions both old and new.
Heading inland North East from the Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake, the drive is spectacular and the scenery diverse with acres of paddy cultivation accompanying you most of the way, and then, through the shimmering haze a giant rock looms up high into the sky.
A cornerstone of the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka, Sigiriya – the majestic fortress of King Kassapa, is considered to be the 8th wonder of the world. The passion of artisans 2000 years before immortalised in its frescoes; magnificent feats of ancient engineering still inspire awe. The surrounding forest and the sprawling lake remains much unchanged – The water nymphs lounging in the sun today, however, take on a very different form: nature and her wildest creations having reclaimed their inheritance. Just 4km away and blending perfectly into the lush surrounds Jetwing Vil Uyana awaits to offer you refuge from the journey and welcomes you to experiences like no other.



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Source :- View the Official site here

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The Golden Rock Temple

Although there are numerous cave temples in Sri Lanka, the Golden Rock Temple a few kilometers south of the market town of Dambulla, is its most famous and spectacular.  The town is about 72 kilometers north of Kandy, and the temple is in a cave under a range of granite hillocks which rise 160 meters above the surrounding plains. It  is  believed  that  when  King  Vattagamini  was  fleeing  from  his  enemies in  the  1st  century  BCE,  he  was  sheltered  by  ascetic  monks  who  lived  in these caves.  After returning to power, he came back to build a large rock temple in gratitude to the monks.  The caves were further enlarged by King Nissankamalla in the 12th century, with five temples built into them. 

There are more than a hundred statues of the Buddha within the temples, along  with  a  few  of  kings  and  various  deities.    There  are  also  murals  on  the  walls  depicting  scenes  from  the  Buddha’s  life,  some  painted  as  recently  as  the  18th  and  19th  centuries,  and  these  cover  an  area  of  2,100 square meters.

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