Mandaram Nuwara is a beautiful small village located in Nuwara Eliya District of Central Province, sri Lanka. It is in the foothills of Piduruthalagala Mountain. The village is colloquially known as “mist city” as it is shrouded in mist majority of the day. At one end of the village there is a waterfall called Kolapothana Ella. Mandaram Nuwara Read more...
The Lankaramaya Stupa is one of the Eight Sacred places known as “Atamasthana”. The stupa was built during the 1st century B.C. by King Walagamba (89 B.C. – 77 B.C.). It is located in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. According to chronicales, this place was also known by the names Silasobbakandaka and Galhebakada. Initially, this stupa was known as Somarama Stupa in commemoration of Queen Soma who saved the life of the king. There are three rows of stone pillars that can be seen around the stupa and it is evident that there had been a house Read more...
The Jetavanaramaya is one of the Eight Sacred places known as “Atamasthana”. It is located in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The Jetavanarama Stupa was built by King Mahasen (276-303). During the reign of King Mahasen, this has become a center of Sagalika sect (also it is said that the Sagalika sect has started in Jetavanaramaya). This stupa was rehabilitated for the last time by King Parakramabahu in the 12th century. It is believed that this stupa has enshrined a part of a sash or belt tied by the Lord Buddha. Read more...
Thuparamaya is considered to be the first Stupa built in Anuradhapura, after the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. It is also one of the “Atamasthana” (8 most sacred places of Buddhists in Sri Lanka). The stupa was built during the reign of King Devanampiyathissa (307 BC to 267 BC). It is believed that the stupa enshrines the right collarbone Relic of the Lord Buddha. Thuparamaya Read more...
Korathota Raja Maha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Kaduwela, Colombo District of Sri Lanka. This temple, which dates back to 2000 years, is one of the few ancient temples found in the Western Province, sited on the top of a mountain next to the Belungala Rock in Kaduwela. This temple boasts of having the oldest and longest cave inscriptions in the Colombo district. Enter your current location in the search box below the map to find the best route to the Korathota Raja Maha Viharaya. Click here to find a list of accommodations around Kaduwela, Sri Lanka. Read more...
“Kuttam Pokuna” or “Twin Ponds” is a unique creation of ancient architecture and considered as one of the significant achievements in hydrological engineering in ancient Sri Lanka. The pond is located in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. As the name suggests, there are two ponds in this creation. It has been identified that these ponds were used to collect water for the Abhayagiri Vihara monks to bath. The two ponds are not identical and also one seems to be older than the other. The width of the ponds is the same and it is Read more...
The Somawathiya Stupa is said to be enshrined the right tooth relic of Lord Buddha. It is located in Somawathiya Rajamaha Vihara premises in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province. The area in which the temple located belongs to the Somawathiya National Park as well. The stupa was built during the reign of the King Kavanthissa (205–161 BC ) and it was named after his sister called princes Somawathi. Enter your current location in the search box below the map to find the best route to the Somawathiya Stupa. Click here to find a list of accommodations around Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. External 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...
Koneswaram Temple is a Hindu temple in Trincomalee District of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. The temple is located in the top of the Swami Rock promontory that overlooks the Indian Ocean, Trincomalee Harbour, and the Trincomalee District. The exact date of construction of the temple remains vague. However, according to the historical evidence, the temple was likely to found before 400 B.C. External Links Koneswaram temple – Wikipedia.org Swami Rock and Koneswaram temple Read more...
Sandakada Pahana (or Moonstone) is a semi-circular stone slab usually seen at the bottom of staircases of ancient religious places as well as some ancient royal palaces in Sri Lanka. It is a unique creation of ancient Sinhalese architecture. The Moonstone located in Mahasena’s Palace is the finest and best-preserved Moonstone found in Sri Lanka. This palace is located in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Sandakada Pahana (the Moonstone) at Mahasena’s Palace interpretation According to historians, the symbols and their arrangement represents a great religious meaning. The widely accepted interpretation was introduced by Prof. Senarath Read more...
The Ambewela New Zealand Farm is one of the dairy farms managed by “Lanka Milk Food” company. The farm is located in Nuwara Eliya District of Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is open to visitors and you can see the milking process at 12.30 pm every day. The road to the farm traverse through a landscape with eye-catching grasslands. Read more...
Gregory Lake is one of the main tourist attractions in Nuwara Eliya city. The lake was built during the period of British Governor William Gregory in 1873. You can experience a boat ride or you can hire a Swan paddle boat. This is a nice place to have an evening walk. Read more...
The Gal Oya National Park is located in Monaragala District of Uva Province in Sri Lanka. It was established in 1954 and serves as the main catchment area for Senanayake Samudraya, the largest reservoir in Sri Lanka. The park is administrated by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Gal Oya National Park is spread over 259km2. The park is mainly famous due to its elephants, where you can see them throughout the year. The place where the Gal Oya falls to the Senanayake Samudraya is called Makara (See the gallery). In this place, the Gal Oya disappears under huge rocks. According to legend, the original Read more...
Demodara Nine Arches Bridge is completely built with stones, bricks and cement without a single piece of steel. The bridge is located in Demodara of Badulla District, in-between Ella and Demodara Railway Stations and it is one of the iconic bridge in Sri Lanka. The bridge was completed in 1921. Apart from the engineering importance of this bridge, it is a beautiful sight to see. Read more...
Mahiyangana Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka. it is one of the Solosmasthana (16 most sacred places to be worshiped by Buddhist in Sri Lanka), and it is believed to be the place where the Lord Buddha’s first visit to the country. According to the historical sources, Buddha visited this place in the ninth month after he attained enlightenment. External Links වසර 2600කට පෙර බුදුන් වැඩිය මියුගුණ පුදබිම 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...
This Siva Devalaya is the oldest Hindu shrine found in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. It was built by king Raja Raja I (985 – 1014 A.D.). According to an inscription found, this place has been dedicated to the consort of the King. Read more...
From Lipton’s Seat, you can have a Spectacular view over five provinces, namely Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. This marvelous viewpoint is located above 6000 ft MSL and it is in the Haputale area in Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka. Read more...
The Mirisaweti Stupa is located in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province. The stupa has been built by the king Dutugemunu (161BC – 137BC) after defeating South Indian invader king Elara. According to the legends, one day the King Dutugemunu had gone to Tissa Wewa for a bath leaving the scepter here. Once he returns to the scepter, it is said that it could not be moved from that place. As a result, the King has constructed this Stupa on the place where the scepter stuck. It is also said that it had been a practice of the King Dutugemununu 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...
Yala National Park lies within Monaragala District of Uva Province and Hambanthota District of Southern Province. The park covers about 979 km2 and one side is bounded by South East coast of Sri Lanka. The park was first declared as as a protected area in 1900 and it was gazetted as National Park in 25th February 1938. The entrance to the Yala National Park is located in Tissamaharama. There are many tour companies who operate jeep safari at Yala and visitors can select suitable one. Vegetation This area is characterized by semi-arid thorn scrub habitat. However it has been modified by 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...
Ranmasu uyana is pleasure garden of the ancient royals of Sri Lanka. It is located in between Thissa Wewa and Isurumuniya temple in Anuradhapura district of North Central Province. The garden is spreaded over 40 acres. This is a good example of ancient Sri Lankan garden architecture. Establishment of this “Ran Masu Uyana” has been carried out to full fill the essential necessity of a royal park and this was built on the right side of the Maha Vihara premises. Inscription of Vessagiriya, established by King Mihindu IV in the 10th century A.D., has identified this as the “Ranmasu Uyana”. Meaning Read more...
The Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens are located in the Kandy District of Central Province, Sri Lanka. The garden is spread over 147 acres. The origin of the garden date back to 1371, the reign of King Wickramabahu III. The garden has more than 4000 species of plants including orchid, spices, medicinal etc… External Links Department of Trade, Commerce & Tourism, Central Province Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife Department of National Botanical Gardens Read more...
