Nestled in the heart of the Knuckles Mountain Range, Riverston is a breathtaking natural retreat in the Matale District, Central Sri Lanka. Known for its cool climate, lush greenery, and serene beauty, Riverston is a hotspot for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts seeking a quiet escape into Sri Lanka’s highlands. With its misty mountains, strong winds, vibrant biodiversity, and unique hiking trails, Riverston promises an unforgettable experience. Why Visit Riverston? Riverston is a hidden paradise in Sri Lanka, offering visitors a mix of tranquility, adventure, and scenic beauty. Some of the key reasons to visit include: The Famous Wind Gap: Experience the thrill of high-speed Read more...

Gal Viharaya (or Rock Monastery), originally named Uttararamaya is located in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in North Central Province. It was created during the reign of King Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. The temple is famous due to the four statues of Lord Buddha carved into the face of granite rocks. The four statues included a large statue of seated Buddha, a small statue of seated Buddha, a standing figure of Buddha, and a reclining figure of Buddha. Read more...

This is another beautiful creation of mother nature. The height of the Doowili Ella Waterfall is 63 feet and it is part of the Walawe River. The waterfall is located in the Kalthota area of Ratnapura District in Sabaragamuwa Province.  The term “Doowili” (in Sinhalese) has the meaning of dust. It is believed that the name “Doowili” is given due to the vapor spread out in the vicinity of the area by the waterfall. 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...

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...

“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 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...

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...

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...

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...

Tucked away in the heart of Sri Lanka, Nalanda Gedige is one of the country’s most unique landmarks. Known as the geographical center of Sri Lanka, it’s a stunning example of cultural and architectural blending. Built between the 8th and 10th centuries, this ancient stone temple in Matale offers a mix of Hindu and Buddhist elements, combining intricate carvings with a remarkable design that intrigues historians and travelers alike. Why Visit Nalanda Gedige? Nalanda Gedige is not just an archaeological wonder; it’s a spiritual and historical site that reflects the rich heritage of Sri Lanka. Here are reasons why every traveler should visit: Architectural Fusion: 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...

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...

Ritigala is a mountain range located in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The mountain contains ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery. The history of the monastery dates back to the 1st century BC.   Ritigala 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...

Rambadagalla Samadhi Buddha Statue is considered to be the world’s tallest rock carved seated Buddha statue. This is a 67.5 feet high Buddha Statue at Rambadagalla Vidyasagara temple in Kurunegala District of North Western Province. It is located about 4km away from the Ridi Viharaya.   Rambadagalla Buddha Statue Construction Stages Rambadagalla Samadhi Buddha Statue – Construction Stupa at the Temple Ancient Shrine Room at the Temple External Links Rambadagalla Samadhi Buddha Statue 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...

The Sri Pada mountain (Adam’s Peak/ Samanala Kanda) is venerated by four religions. Accodring to the Sri Lanka’s chronicles, Lord Buddha at his third visit to Sri Lanka, placed his foot imprint on a rock at the top of the mountain on the invitation of God Sumanasaman. Sri Pada is the second highest (height: 2,243m) mountain in Sri Lanka. It is located along the border of Central Province and Sabaragamuwa Province. According to the Survey Department of Sri Lanka, the mountain is belongs to the Ratnapura District of Sabaragamuwa Province. The annual Sri Pada pilgrimage season is begins on Poya Read more...

The Udawalawa National Park is very popular among visitors for Sri Lankan elephants. Visitors can see elephants at any time of the day. The park was declared as a national park in 1972 and it covers about 30,821 hectares of land. It lies in the Monaragala District of Uva Province and Ratnapura District of Sabaragamuwa Province. Animal Life Grizzled Giant Squirrel   Elephants Buffalos Birds Udawalawa Reservoir Udawalawa Reservoir External Links Department of Wildlife Conservation > National Parks Map of Protected Areas in Sri Lanka   Read more...

Atadage was constructed by King Vijayabahu I to place the Sacred Tooth Relic in the 11th century. It is located in Polonnaruwa District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name “Atadage” has the meaning of “house of eight relics”.  What remains here today are the foundation and 54 stone pillars. The Tooth Relic has been kept on the upper floor made out of wood on top of these stone pillars.   External Links Journey of the Sacred Tooth Relic In Sri Lanka   Read more...

Kiri Vehera is an ancient stupa located in the Kataragama area which belongs to Monaraga district of Uva province, Sri Lanka. It is believed that the stupa was built by King Mahasena, a regional ruler of this area in 6th century BC. This is one of the 16 sacred sites in Sri Lanka called Solosmasthana. The height of this stupa is 95ft. The famous Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya also located very closer to this stupa. Read more...

Thanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya is located in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The temple was built in the 3rd century BC. It is believed that, when the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi was brought in to Sri Lanka, one night along the way to Anuradhapura, the pot containing the sapling was kept at Thanthirimale.   Read more...

Abhayagiri Stupa is the second-highest stupa in the country and it is located in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is one also of the Eight Sacred places known as “Atamasthana”. The stupa was built by King Valagamba was also known as Vattagamani Abhaya and Valagambahu in 1st century BC. According to legends, the king has built this stupa to commemorate some incident that happened while he escaping from one fight with Tamil invaders.  According to this legend, a Jain monk called Giri has shouted at the king saying “the great black Sinhalese is fleeing”  while he was passing Read more...