According to the inscriptions found, this pillared structure has identified as the Nissanka Latha Mandapaya. It is located in the place known as Dalada Maluwa in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. This building was constructed by the King Nissankamalla (1187-1196 A.D.). According to an inscription, this is the place where the King Nissankamalla listened to Pirith Chanting (a recitation or chanting of the word of the Lord Buddha). The building is surrounded by a stone railing and the entrance is also protected by a stone doorway. The stone pillars in this building are a unique design. These pillars are Read more...
This image house is located in the Dalada Maluwa premises in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Although it is known as Thuparama Image House, the ancient name or the builder is not known. The image house is categorized as Gedige type as its walls and the roof is completely built with bricks. This is the only monument among those in Polonnaruwa where the roof is well preserved. A large seat thought to be the base of a giant seated Buddha statue can be seen inside the image house. The ornamentation of the exterior walls shows the influence of the Read more...
Kandy Lake (Bogambara Weva) is located in the heart of the Kandy City next to Sri Dalanda Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth). It was built in 1807 by king Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. Read more...
The Ambuluwawa Biodiversity Complex is located in the Gampola area of Kandy District, Central Province. It is a steep mountain and climbs to its peak a bit of a challenge. You can also hire a vehicle to get to the peak. But, climb on foot is an opportunity to view the area. Read more...
Isurumuniya is a Buddhist temple located in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The history of this temple dates back to reign of King Devanampiya Tissa (307 BC to 267 BC). Later this has been renovated by the King Kasyapa I (473-491 AD). Isurumuniya is most famous for stone carvings, especially the “Isurumuni Lovers” carving. In addition to that there are many other stone carvings can be seen in this temple. Isurumuni Lovers Stone carvings and sculptures This slideshow requires JavaScript. Read more...
The Rajagala Monastery is a sacred site in which history dates back to the Advent of Arhath Mahinda Thera. This place is in the Uhana area of the Ampara District in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. The archaeological excavation is still underway and it is one of the largest archaeological sites in Sri Lanka with 1025 acres. The rock inscription found here regarding the Arhat Mahinda Thera is the most valued inscription of archaeological interest. According to the archaeological discoveries, the area had been inhabited from the prehistoric times. You can read more about this site from the external links given below. Read more...
Vijithapura Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple worshiped by Buddhist all around the country. The temple is located closer to the Kala Wewa in Anuradhapura district of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. You can access this temple through Kekirawa – Galewela road and only about 10km away from the Kekirawa temple. According to the historical sources (like Mahavamsa, Deepavamsa, Tupavamsa, and Saddharmalankaraya), the history of the Vijithapura area goes back to the reign of King Vijaya (543–505 BCE). The beginning of the Vijithapura Rajamaha Viharaya is not clearly identified. However, according to the legends, the history of the temple Read more...
Deegawapi Stupa is one of the Solosmasthana (16 most sacred places to be worshiped by Buddhist in Sri Lanka), located in Ampara District of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. Deegavapi has always been a place of reverence for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. According to the legends, the Lord Buddha in his third visit to Sri Lanka proceeded to Deegavapi after placing an imprint of his foot on a gemstone at the summit of Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak). It is said to be that the stupa we see today is located in the place where the Lord Buddha and 500 arhats spent Read more...
Velaikkara Inscription is an ancient inscription carved on a stone located in the Dalada Maluwa premises of main archaeological site in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The Velaikkaras rebelled against King Vijayabahu (1055 – 1110 A.D.) in his 30th year refusing to fight against the Colas and they were punished. It seems that Velaikkaras provided protection to the Temple of Tooth even during the early period of Viajayabahu due to the mention of construction of some building by them around the Temple of Tooth. Perhaps after the rebellion, they were removed beings the guards of the Temple of Read more...
Pidurangala Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist monastery located in the Matale District of Central Province, Sri Lanka. The monastery was built by the King Kashyapa (473-495 CE) to relocate monks who were residing in Sigiriya rock before the construction of the fortress. Also, it is believed that this monastery has been served as the royal monastery during the reign of King Kashyapa. Pidurangala is a massive rock similar to Sigiriya, said to be just four feet short of the height of Sigiriya. From certain places at a distance, one can see the view of both Sigiriya and Pidurangala. Surrounding the Pidurangala Read more...
Sathmahal Prasadaya is a unique type of 7 storied ancient building in Dalada Maluwa premises in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The Sinhala name “Sathmahal” has the meaning of 7 storied. The building is completely built with bricks and it takes the shape of a pyramid. The base of the building is the shape of a square with side length of 35 ft. There are four doors with arches on each side. Since these type of buildings have been found in Northern Thailand, this is also considered as a monument which confirms the foreign affairs in ancient Sri Lanka. Read more...
The Riverston peak is a part of the Knuckles Conservation Forest which is the first forest reserve in Sri Lanka. Riverston peak belongs to the Matale District of Central Province, Sri Lanka. The Riverston peak is famous among the visitors due to the high-speed wind flow at the wind gap (video bellow will give you some idea about the wind speed). The misty mountains, evergreen forest, beautiful streams, waterfalls, and biodiversity present in this forest reserve will surely amaze you. Read more...
Kudumbigala Monastery is an ancient Buddhist monastic complex constructed in 246 BC, during the reign of the King Devanampiyatissa. It is located in the Ampara District of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. The site is paved with large rock boulders and rock surfaces surrounded by a thick jungle. The monastic complex has been untouched for a long period of time and it was re-discovered in recent past. Archaeologists had recovered over 200 rock caves belonging to this forgotten monastery. According to a rock inscription found in the cave named “Maha Sudharshana Lena” itself, it has been built and offered to Arhats by the Read more...
Pothgul Vehera is located in the Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The Sinhalese name “Pothgull” has the meaning of “place to store books”. As such, with the other historical evidence, this ancient place has been identified as the oldest Buddhist library complex in the country. It was built by the King Parakramabahu the Great (1153-1186). Click here to find a list of accommodations around Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka on Booking.com Read more...
Sigiriya is one of the best preserved examples which depict the engineering skills of ancient era of Sri Lanka. It is located in Matale district of Central Province, Sri Lanka. Today Sigiriya is one of the UNESCO listed World Heritage Site of Sri Lanka. Sigiri Wall Paintings Mirror Wall (Kadapath Paura) Sinha Padaya Sigiriya Rock External Links SigiriyaTourism.com World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka Read more...
The Lovamahapaya is one of the Eight Sacred places known as “Atamasthana” and it is located in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. When you walk towards Ruwanweliseya from Sri Maha Bodhiya, The Lovamahapaya can be seen on your right-hand side. According to the Mahawamsa, the Lowamahapaya was a nine-story building and It was built by the King Dutugemunu (161-137 BC). You can read more about this place by visiting the external links given below. Photo Credit: Balou46, ChampikaG External Links: King Dutugemunu’s gracious gift to Maha Sangha The Entrance Into the Tusita-Heaven Read more...
Ridi Viharaya (which has the English meaning of “Silver Temple”) is a Buddhist temple located in Ridigama, in Kurunegala District of North Western Province. The history of this temple is dates back to the reign of King Dutugemunu (161 BC to 137 BC). A silver (in Sinhala; “Ridi”) ore deposit found in this place has provided the funds for the construction of the Ruwanwelisaya Stupa. In return, King Dutugemunu has built this Ridi Viharaya on the same location where the silver ore deposit was located. The gold-plated Buddha statue, which has been brought from India also a donation of the Read more...
Gadaladeniya temple is an ancient Buddhist temple located in the Pilimathalawa area in Kandy District of Central Province, Sri Lanka. The temple was done by king Bhuvanekabahu IV ( reigned from 1341 to 1351) in 1344. According to the historical evidence, the temple was done by a South Indian architect named Ganesvarachari. Therefore, the temple has built according to the South Indian tradition. External Links Department of Archaeology Read more...
Meemure is a village in Kandy district in Central province of Sri Lanka. It is located near the border between Kandy District and Matale District in the Knuckles Mountain Range. The village is rich with natural beauty. The Lakegala mountain, which is part of the Knuckles Mountain Range is also located in Meemure. According to the legend, Lakegala is the place King Ravana landed his historical airplane called Dandu Monara. Read more...
The Bahirawakanda Buddha Statue can be seen from many places of the Kandy City. The statue is 88 feet in height. The temple is located 1km away from the Kandy Clock tower (2km away from Sri Dalanda Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic)). Read more...
Menik Vehera is an ancient monastery located in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The history of this place is not known. However, according to the architectural features, it is assumed to belong to the 8-9 centuries A.D. This monastery consists of a Stupa, image houses, a Bodhi – tree shrine, refectory, monk’s dispensary and cells. The stupa here is of a rare type, which is built on a high terrace surrounded by a high wall. There is a carved stone door-frame at the entrance to the Stupa. This monastery is unnoticed by many of the visitors who Read more...
The Galle Fort, also known as Dutch Fort, located in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It was first built by the Portuguese in 1588 and then by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onward. UNESCO has inscribed this site as a cultural heritage. External Links UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka Read more...
Kallebokka viewpoint is one of the best viewpoints in Sri Lanka which gives 3600 magnificent views of the Kandy, Matale and the beautiful Knuckles Mountain Range. From the viewpoint, you can also see the Sembuwatta Lake, Huluganga valley, Hunnasgiriya, Makulussa Mountain, and Dumbara Mountain range etc… The viewpoint is located in the highest peak of the Kallebokka estate which belongs to Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation. The estate is located between Kabaragala and Madolkele on the boundary of the Kandy and Matale District. Therefore it can be accessed from both Mathale and Kandy directions. However, the route from Matale to Kabaragala is better in terms Read more...
Udawattakele is a natural forest located in the middle of the Kandy City, behind Sri Dalanda Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic). The forest is 257 acres in area and has a long history dating back to many centuries. There is a large verity of birds, animals, and butterflies belonging to various species in the forest. you can find a variety of trees including talipot trees, olive, cinnamon, rattan cane, bo-trees, kitul palms, jak, mara, betel nut, areca nut, Nuga, Pihimbiya, Niyaghala, Walla, Mee, Etamba, Sapu, Malaboda and Mahogany in this forest. The Udawattakele forest reserve which had been Read more...
