Temple of the Tooth Kandy

One of the most famous attractions in Sri Lanka, overlooking the Kandy Lake with its golden roof, is the Temple of the Tooth, “Sri Dalada Maligawa”.

Whenever I go to Kandy, I make sure that around 6:30pm I’m inside the mystical shrine when it comes alive with drumming, clouds of incense and the constant procession of pilgrims carrying floral offerings, filing past an open window in order to catch a glimpse of the reliquary containing Lord Buddha’s Tooth inside.

The Temple of the Tooth is such a beautiful, serene, magical and spiritual place and should be on every bucket list.

 

Annuradhapura – Thuparama

Anuradhapura, situated in the North Central province, became the capital of the island in 380 BC and was a great thriving city which remained the capital for about 1,400 years until the 10th century AD.

The most sacred place in Anuradhapura is the Sri Maha Bodhi, a Bo Tree grown from a sapling from the original Bo Tree beneath which the Buddha attained supreme enlightenment in Bodhgaya, India. The sapling was brought to the island around 240 BC.

The Ruwanweliseya, also known as MahaThupa or “Great Stupa”, built in the 2nd century BC, is regarded as the greatest of all the dagobas at Anuradhapura.

The Thuparama Dagoba was built in 245 BC. This was the first dagoba constructed on the island, and enshrines (amongst other sacred relics) the alms bowl and right collarbone of Lord Buddha.

The giant Jetavanarama Dagoba was built of solid brick in the 3rd century AD by King Mahasena (AD 274-301). It would have originally stood at over 390 ft (120 m) and was the largest dagoba in the world.

This is just a glimpse of what there is to see in the stunning city of Annuradhapura.

 

Polonnaruwa

After conquering Anuradhapura in the late 10th century, the Indian invading Cholas decided to move the capital to Polonnaruwa. The Polonnaruwa Kingdom came to an end in 1215 when it was left to return to the jungle.

As the island’s capital, Polonnaruwa, situated 50 miles south-east of Anuradhapura, had a brief history of 200 years and a dozen rulers compared with Anuradhapura’s 1,400 years and 123 kings. Unlike Anuradhapura, where the ruins are widely scattered, Polonnaruwa’s chief monuments are well preserved and easily accessible. 

Polonnaruwa’s centrepiece, the Terrace of the Tooth Relic, also known as “The Quadrangle”, consists of a group of magnificent buildings in a raised area bounded by a wall in the heart of the ancient city. 

Of all the wonderful structures at Polonnaruwa, the best known are the Buddha sculptures comprising the Gal Vihara, meaning “rock shrine”. The four 12th century statues, cut from a single granite wall, rank among the true masterpieces of Sri Lankan art.The fourth statue is a 46 ft (14 m) reclining Buddha, with eyes half-closed and feet slightly askew, representing the moment of entry into Nirvana.

 

Aukana Buddha

About 30 miles south of Mihintale is the Aukana Buddha, one of the most beautiful, perfectly preserved, ancient Buddha images on the island. This 5th century statue, is carved out of solid rock and measures 42 ft in height. Aukana means “sun-eating” and the image is best viewed as the sun rises.

 

Galle Fort

It is widely believed that Galle may have been the city of Tarshish of Biblical times, the great emporium of the East, trading with Chinese, Persian, Indian and Arab traders and where King Solomon sent merchant vessels to buy gold, silver, gems, ivory and spices.

A Portuguese fleet first landed in Galle in 1505. In 1589 they built a small fort in Galle and when the Dutch arrived in 1640 they destroyed almost all of the Portuguese presence. In 1663 the Dutch built the magnificent Fort, with great ramparts and massive bastions, that still stands today and dominates the town.

Today, enclosed within the fort is the old town, with a few hundred houses. You will need a day to wander the 90 acres of streets, or a few hundred rupees and an hour by tuktuk.

A walk on the ramparts at dusk is inspiring; this romantic stage attracts local lovers for an idyllic rendezvous against the backdrop of a spectacular sunset. An experience not to be missed!

 

Sri Lankan Art

For art lovers, Colombo’s art galleries show off a diversity of artistic talent. The Colombo Art Gallery features major exhibitions of accomplished painters and photographers. The Sapumal Foundation has a superb collection of works by the acclaimed ’43 group of Sri Lankan artists. Galleries like the Lionel Wendt and Casa Serena often exhibit both traditional and modern works while Barefoot Art Gallery and Paradise Road Gallery Café regularly showcase works by contemporary masters.

Colombo has several performing art centres including the Lionel Wendt, the Elphinstone, the Tower Hall and the Navarangahala, all popular venues for musical performances and theatrical productions. The Nelum Pokuna or “Lotus Pond” includes a state-of-the-art auditorium that can seat an audience of over 1200 as well as an open-air amphitheatre.

Stretching from Nelum Pokuna is Green Path alongside Viharamahadevi Park. This is one of my favourite places where you can stroll and enjoy Sri Lankan artisans. Some artists are really talented and paintings can be purchased at a very reasonable price.

 

Galle Face Green

The Galle Face Green esplanade stretches a mile between the old Parliament building and the Galle Face Hotel, bordering the Indian Ocean. In its heyday, the Green hosted horse races and sports events. Nowadays, early mornings attract people of all ages to exercise on the Green, from a brisk walk to a power jog. In the afternoons, youngsters play softball cricket, and dusk provides the perfect setting for kite flying. At sunset, the Green serves as a romantic rendezvous for courting couples and late at night, Galle Face Green is alive with vendors of exotic foods for the night’s revellers.

 

Galle Face Hotel

Located on the southern end of Galle Face Green is the Galle Face Hotel. Built in 1864 and named after the Green, the grand old colonial hotel is the unique and unmistakable edifice that epitomises Colombo, an aide memoire of its glorious history and heritage, the jewel in the crown of the Empire with quite a reputation for having accommodated an illustrious cast of the rich and famous from around the world. One of the many famous guests that stayed within this magnificent palace was the British playwright Noel Coward. It is believed that this was where he wrote his most famous ditty “Mad dogs and Englishmen”, apparently playing his first rendition at the piano in the terrace bar. The hotel hasn’t changed much since the lyrics of his tongue-in-cheek lampoon of British colonial mentality resonated around the airy halls, – (and the piano probably hasn’t been tuned since either).

One of my favorites pastimes is having a cocktail on the terrace at sunset.

 

Pettah

Pettah, an extensive, lively, colourful market bazaar situated adjacent to Colombo’s main railway station, Fort, and the bus station. Created in the 16th century for the merchants, it sells everything that the locals could possibly want to buy and it’s is a great place to wander around.

 

Mount Lavinia Hotel

Mount Lavinia, located 8 miles south of Colombo, was formerly a fishing village. A side road heading away from the busy Galle Road leads to the elegance and tranquillity of the old colonial hotel, The Mount Lavinia, from which the area gets its name.

Built in 1806 as the country residence for the British Governor, Thomas Maitland, it is situated on a promontory of land with spectacular views of the coast and Colombo. Today, a magnificent ballroom adjoins the old house, with the hotel set along a superb beach.

The Mount Lavinia is Sri Lanka’s most beautiful hotel with undoubtedly the friendliest of staff. Cocktails at sunset on the terrace followed by dinner is a truly awesome experience.