This is a very beautiful waterfall located in the Nuwara Eliya District of Central Province, Sri Lanka. The waterfall is a part of the Kothmale Oya,  a tributary of the Mahaweli River. The St. Clairs Falls can be easily seen from the Avissawella – Hatton – Nuwara Eliya road (see the map for the most suitable viewpoint).   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...

Among the number of hot water springs in Sri Lanka, the Mahaoya hot water springs are the hottest. These wells are located in Ampara District of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. In Mahaoya, there are well-maintained 7 wells with different temperatures. The temperature of hottest well is around 56oC. Tourists throughout the world got attracted to this place due to its mythical healing powers. Enter your current location in the search box below the map to find the best route to the Mahaoya hot water springs. Click here to find a list of accommodations around Mahaoya, Sri Lanka.   Read more...

This picturesque location became popular over the social media from 2017 onwards. The water body is crystal clear and it is a great place to take colorful photographs.   A lot of local travelers attract to this location as the breathtaking photographs shared in social media. It is in the Rangala village which is about 20km away from the Theldeniya town and about 42km away from the Kandy City. The pool is a part of the Kotaganga Stream, and that can also be viewed from the Kotaganga bridge. Although it is so attractive, there is a hidden danger of Rangala Natural Pool. The pool is 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 Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple located in Kelaniya, Gampaha District,  few kilometers away from Colombo. You can access the temple within one hour from Colombo. According to Buddhist history the temple is dates back to the third and final visit of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka. Which says that the history of this temple is go back to 500 BCE. According to the Mahavamsa the original stupa of Kelaniya enshrined a gem-studded throne on which the Buddha sat and preached. External Links The Mahavamsa The Visit of The Thatagatha (Lord Buddha)   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...

Polonnaruwa Vatadage belongs to the Polonnaruwa Kingdom. It is a structure which is built encircling the stupa for protection. It is believed that the structure was built during the reign of King Parakramabahu I (1123–1186) to hold the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. However, this has been renovated during the reign of King Nissanka Malla (1187 – 1196). One of the four Buddha statues on the upper platform This is the most famous Vatadage among the other Vatadage structures found in Sri Lanka. It has two stone platforms and only single entrance is there to access the lower platform. Read more...

According to chronicles, the Pabalu Vehera had built by Rupavati, the Queen of Parakramabahu the Great (1153 – 1186 A.C.). It is located in the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The present name Pabalu (meaning, beads), has given to the stupa because of a large number of beads found in the vicinity of this monastic complex.  Around the stupa, there are a number of image houses with statues with different postures. A reclining Buddha statue has been kept in the largest image house. Read more...

The Girihandu Seya stupa is located in Thiriyaya in Trincomalee District of Eastern Province, Sri Lanka. According to the legend, this is the stupa mentioned in the story of Thapassu and Bhalluka two traders. As such, it is considered to be the first Stupa built by enshrining the relic of Lord Buddha and probably it was built around 528 B.C. The stupa was originally a small in size and had been renovated in the 8th century A.D. The Vatadage encircling stupa was built during the renovation. External Links Thiriyaya Girihandu Seya Thiriyaya – Department of Archaeology Read more...

The Sorabora Wewa is an ancient reservoir located in Mahiyanganaya in Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka. The history of this reservoir goes back to the reign of King Dutugemunu (161 BC – 137 BC).  The tank is believed to be built by a giant named “Bulatha”. Enter your current location in the search box below the map to find the best route to the Sorabora Wewa. Click here to find a list of accommodations around Mahiyanganaya, Sri Lanka.   External Links සොරබොර වැව නුදුටු ඇස්‌ මොටද පින්කළේ Read more...

The Adisham Bungalow or Adisham Hall is located about 3km away from Haputale town, Badulla district. It is a  monastery run by Benedictine Monks. The bungalow attracts every eye that falls on it. This place was created by Sir Thomas Lister Villiers, came to Ceylon as a trainee on Elbedde Estate, Bogawantalawa. Visit http://www.adisham.org for more information. Read more...

Ape Gama (Our Village) is a replica of the villages of yesteryear in Sri Lanka, where society was managed as an agro-economy with flourishing traditional industries and the inhabitants lived a simple life with contentment. The spot is located in Battaramulla area of Colombo District, very close to the Parliament of Sri Lanka.   Read more...

Thotupola Kanda is the third highest mountain in Sri Lanka and the highest point of which is 2,357m above mean sea level. The mountain belongs to Nuwara Eliya District of Central Province and it is located in the Horton Plains. The name “Thotupola” (in Sinhala) has the meaning of “port (or airport)” and there is a belief that, this name related to the legend Rama-Ravana.  According to the legend the king Ravana (Sri Lankan) has used some kind of flying machine and he has landed it in this mountain while kidnapping Sita (Rama’s wife) to take revenge from Rama. Read more...

Kirinda Temple is a Buddhist temple in Hambantota District of Southern Province. It is located closer to the Southern coast of Sri Lanka. The temple is built on a summit of a large rock located closer to the coast giving a magnificent view of the beautiful Indian Ocean. The history of this temple is dates back to the reign of King Kawanthissa ( 205–161 BC). As per the story of  Queen Viharamahadevi, Kirinda is the place where she was brought by sea and landed. The king Kawanthissa has built this stupa commemorating the incident. 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...

Buduruwagala is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Monaragala District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka. The Sinhalese name “Buduruwagala” has the meaning of “the rock of Buddhist Sculpture”. As the name suggests, the main attraction of this site is the rock with seven statues including the tallest standing Buddha statue in Sri Lanka. The standing Buddha image sculptured at the center is 51 feet tall, making it the tallest in Sri Lanka.  On the right of the Standing Buddha image are the sculptures of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisatva, Goddess Tara, Prince Sudhana and on the left are the sculptures of Maitree Bodhisatva, Read more...

Kanneliya Forest Reserve is located in Galle District of the Southern Province, Sri Lanka. The forest is considered as a tropical humid forest and it is the largest of Kanneliya – Dediyagala – Nakiyadeniya (KDN)  forest complex. Kanneliya is a wet, evergreen forest snuggly ensconced in Udugama, Galle and is a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city of Galle. The Kanneliya forest was declared as a forest reserve in 1934 by the Gazette no. 8062. The UNESCO also designated this forest complex as a Biosphere Reserve in 2004. Enter your current location in the search box below the map to find the Read more...

Diyasuru Park is an urban wetland park which is located in Sri Jayawardanapura, the administrative capital of Sri Lanka, at the vicinity of the Parliament. It is an ideal place to relax in busy and crowded and noisy Colombo. The park is spread over an area of 60 acres.  The park showcases a range of wetland habitats such as marshes, flooded woodlands, lakes, and ponds including wonders of urban wildlife in Colombo. More than 230 animal species have been recorded from the park including many rare and migrant birds, butterflies, dragonflies, mammals, many types of fishes including endemics, amphibians, and reptiles. Park Read more...

Hakgala Botanical Garden is the second largest in Sri Lanka. It is located 10 km away from the Nuwara Eliya town. The cool climate of the garden make you feel more comfortable. The garden was established in 1861 as an experimental cultivation of Cinchona in Sri Lanka. The garden is spread over 28 hectares. There are over 10,000 species of flora planted here. External Links Department of Trade, Commerce & Tourism,Central Provincial Council Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife Department of National Botanical Gardens Read more...

The Jathika Namal Uyana is located in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province. This can be accessed through Madatugama Pubbogama Andiyagala road and 6.5km away from the Kandy-Jaffna Highway (see the below map for exact location). This is the largest ironwood forest in Sri Lanka and where Asia’s largest rose quartz mountain is located in. The Jathika Namal Uyana had been a sanctuary for Buddhist monks during the era of King Devanampiyatissa. Later it had been used as a prison camp where the punishment was to plant Na trees.   External Links Mother Nature’s wonderful creation Jathika Namal Uyana Sri Read more...

Nalanda Gedige is a building completely built with stone located in Matale District of Central Province Sri Lanka. The building was estimated to have been constructed between the 8th & 10th centuries and has the influence of the Pallava architecture. The building has designed like a Hindu temple. However, the building said to have been used as a temple by Buddhists. The building has richly decorated with stone carvings. Front View Rear View Pavilion Entrance Rock Carvings at Nalanda Gedige   This slideshow requires JavaScript. Read more...

Sithulpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya is one of the greatest ancient Buddhist monasteries located in the Hambanthota District in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. The history of the monastery dates back to 2nd century BC. It is believed that this place was built by King Kawanthissa ( 205–161 BC). According to Buddhist literature, this place was a center for Buddhist education for Buddhist monks, and once there had been 12,000 arhat monks around this location. Many caves, temples, images, houses, stupas, and ponds located around this large area bear witness to this story. 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...