Great Lakes

Parakrama Tank 

One of the most striking features in Polonnaruwa is the vast Parakrama Samudra (Sea of Parakramabahu), an irrigation tank built, as the name indicates by King Parakramabahu the Great. This was his largest irrigation project and covers an area of more than 15 Km2.The dam (or bund, as it is known in Sri Lanka, is almost 14 Km long and 12 metres high.

The Dipuyyana (Island Garden) is on the promontory by the rest house. When King Parakramabahu had built his vast lake, he selected this lovely spot for a royal garden. Later King Nissankamalla liked it so much that he built his palace and council chambers there

 

Tissamaharama

Tissamaharama is one of the most pleasant towns in the southern coast. The beautiful man-made tank (reservoir) in Tissa, Tissa Wewa with its remarkable bird life provides the scenic backdrop to the town. Tissa was the sanctuary in the deep south, where Sinhalese patriots fled to rally support against marauding Dravidian invaders from Southern India. Known by the name of Mahagama (great town), it was one of the principal settlements of the southern province of Ruhuna. Mahagama was founded in the third century BC by a brother of the King Devanam Piya Tissa of Anuradhapura, & later rose to prominence under King Kavantissa, father of the hero of the nation, King Dutugamunu of Ruhuna.

Modern Tissa is a bustling city with the main street lined with banks, shops & little cafes and kiosks. Refreshing breeze from the large reservoir sweeps the town. The town in turn is bounded by a beautiful expanse of paddy fields. In the midst of paddy fields stands most impressive of Tissa's dagobas (stupas). The combination of cluster of dagobas & two beautiful tanks lend Tissa a certain distinction & a sense of history making it in sharp contrast with the other towns of southern coast.

Tissa Wewa Rainwater reservior

North of the modern town lies the beautiful Tissa Wewa, an expansive artificial lake built by King Kavantissa in the 2nd century BC of the ancient southern kingdom of Ruhuna. The shore nearest the town is often busy with crowds of people bathing & flock of aquatic birds including bitterns, herons & egrets skimming across the waters. A beautiful walk leads along the massive bund (embankment) which encloses the lake's southern shore, shaded by a procession of majestic old trees.

Deberawewa Rainwater reservior
At the far end, a track leads to the smaller adjacent man-made lake of Deberawewa, another haven for birdlife, its surface prettily covered in water lilies.



Wirawila Wewa (Wirawila rain water reservoir) Bird Sanctuary

Between the northern & southern turn-offs to Tissa, the Hambantota Wellawaya road runs on a causeway across the large Wirawila Wewa (Reservoir). The best time for bird watching is early morning.

 

Golden Beaches

Hikkaduwa Beach 

The beach of Hikkaduwa is situated 98 km from Colombo towards the south of Sri Lanka. This fun coastal town 14 kms from Galle was the first (1960's) of Sri Lanka's beautiful beaches to be discovered by tourists. Snorkeling and diving in the clear waters are the major past-time along this stretch and is the most environmentally friendly way to see the colorful fish that dart around. The coral sanctuary found on the coast of Hikkaduwa is a large shallow body of water enclosed by a reef, decorated with layers of multi colored corals, witch is home to countless number of colorful fish. Off the beach there is a collection of tine islets surrounded by beautiful coral formations. Many species of fish and large turtles are found here.There are more than four different shipwrecks for diving enthusiasts to explore along with dive shops offering PADI courses and equipment. Plenty of beachfront accommodation and a reputation as the second best surf spot in Sri Lanka by the international board-riding set, and the reason so many visit Hikkaduwa is blatantly clear.

The resort area has now engulfed two or three villages south of it, and is now a 4km strip of hotels, shops, bars, restaurants and guesthouses. The beaches are nice and wide and swimming is safe here, though the currents are stronger south of Hikkaduwa proper. The impressive coral reef runs just offshore and is still populated by exotic fish and sea turtles. Glass bottomed boats are available for visitors wanting to admire the wonders of the deep while keeping their feet dry!

After a shot distance southwards from the center of the reef, it diminishes given rise to a wider sandy bottomed beach with good waves ideal for board surfing and body surfing. You can always rent the necessary equipment needed for snorkeling and surfing. Hikkaduwa is an established tourist destination and the surfing there is quite well known. You won't see the Indonesian style overcrowding here though. The reef is coral so a first aid kit and booties are handy. Localism is usually not a problem though we have seen some tourists get some hassle. Respect them and they leave you alone pretty much. There are many shops selling Masks, Gems, Jewellery, Batik, Antiques and etc. along with several Buddhist temples, all which add spice to life at Hikkaduwa.

 

Hikkaduwa Coral species 

 

Brain coral 

 

Staghorn coral

 

Elkhorn coral

Nilaveli Beach 

Nilaveli (Pronounced Nilaa-Veli, Tamil translation Open-land of the moon-shine) is a coastal resort town located about 20 km North-West of Trincomalee, Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka. It used to be a popular tourist destination.

Ancient cities in Sri Lanka 02

Polonnaruwa City

Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka‘s medieval capital was established as the city of the land in 11th century A.D.Polonnaruwa replaced Anuradhapura as the capital city of Sri Lanka, Because of the invasion of south India.It was the capital of Sri Lanka from 11 AD to 13 AD.The important kings of, Polannaruwa period are, King Wijayabahu the first, King Maha Parakramabahu the first and King Nissankamalla.


When the South Indian Kings ruling the country, the Prince called Keerthi of the Sri lanka formed an army and came to attack. The South Indian King who occupied Anuradhapura. He defeated the South Indian King and become the King of Sri Lanka as Wijebahu the First.
He did not have time to develop the country but he united the country. Later the King had chance to the develop the country Wijebahu built his palace In Anuradhapura and he shifted the capital to Polonnaruwa.During Polonnaruwa period lot of developments took place. in irrigation paddy cultivation and agricultural Products.

Because of this foreign trade was done between South Asia, Arab and China. The most important King during this period was King Maha Parakramabahu the first he ruled tire country from 1153 AD to 1186 AD. During his period he built 165 dams 3000 canals, 163 major and 2376 minor tanks. Of all these the biggest tank was Parakrama Samadra.He was very interested in irrigation work and architecture. He united Sri Lanka in 1153 AD. He died in 1186 AD. After his death the Sinhalese kingdom began to break n due to civil war and foreign attacks.At the end of 13 century the glory of Sri Lanka faded. For 70 years Sri Lanka was ruled by Cholas from South India.

Vatadage

The Vatadage ( hale of the relic) near the entrance is a circular building with a dageba on concentric terraces with sculptured railings, the largest with a diameter of 18m. A superbly planned and executed 12th century masterpiece attributed to Naissankamalla (1187-1196), the Vatadage has modest proportions but remarkably graceful lines. It was almost certainly intended to house the Tooth Relic. There are impressive guard stones at the entrance of the second terrace and wing stones with makaras enclosing lion figures; the moonstone to the north entrance of the top terrace is superb. The dagaba at the center has four Buddha's (some damaged) with later stone screen.
The Vatadage is circular building on your left as you enter - is probably the oldest monument in Polonnaruwa, preceding by several centuries the establishment of the capital.
At the building's northern entrance is a guard stone (one of a former pair) preventing evil from entering. The moonstone at the second flight of steps is the best preserved in Polonnaruwa. In the center of Vatadage, within the concentric stone columns that once supported a conical roof, four Buddha status face the cardinal points, their backs to the sacred mound of brick all that remains of the dagaba.

Gal wiharaya

 

The Gal Vihara , also known as Gal Viharaya, is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in north-central Sri Lanka. It was constructed in the 12th century by Parakramabahu I. The central feature of the shrine are four images of the Buddha, which have been carved into the face of a large granite rock. The images consist of a large seated figure, another, smaller seated figure inside an artificial cavern, and standing figure and a reclining figure. These are considered to be some of the best examples of ancient Sinhalese sculpting and carving arts, and have made the Gal Vihara one of the most visited monuments in Polonnaruwa.

The images of Gal Vihara follow a different style than the images of the previous Anuradhapura period, and show some significant differences. The identity of the standing image is subject to a certain amount of dispute among historians and archaeologists, some of whom argue that it depicts the monk Ananda rather than the Buddha. Each of the images have been carved in a way that uses a maximum possible area of the rock, and their heights seem to have been decided based on the height of the rock itself. Each statue appears to have had its own image house, as indicated by the remains of brick walls at the site. The Gal Vihara, or Uttararama as it was known during that period, was where Parakramabahu I held a congregation of monks to purify the Buddhist priesthood, and later drew up a code of conduct for them. This code of conduct has been recorded in an inscription on the same rock face containing the images of the Buddha.

Ancient cities in Sri Lanka

Anuradhapura city 

Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka founded about the 4th century BC. It is famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization.The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya. 

Jayasrimaha Bodiya  

The Sacred Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura is reckoned as the oldest surviving historical tree in the world. It was brought to Sri Lanka by the Theri Sangamitta, daughter of Emperor Asoka and was planted in the Mahameghavana Park in Anuradhapura in 249 BC by King Devanampiyatissa. It is said to be the southern branch of the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment.

The Mahavamsa or the Great Chronicle of the Sinhalese provides an elaborate account of the establishment of the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi in the island. Bodhi means wisdom that understands the four Noble Truths. Thus the tree which assisted Lord Buddha to achieve wisdom or enlightenment is called Bodhi.

Tuparamaya Dagoba

Thuparamaya is a historical place. It has a historical significance. Thuparamaya is the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka. It is in North Central Province, Anuradhapura district. King Dewanampiyathissa built this stupa. At that time Thuparamaya had a roof. But in the present we can’t see that roof in Thuparamaya. The legend says to us these important things. Who go to Anuradhapura he never forget go to visit Anuradhapura. It is very famous place in Sri Lanka and it is very important to Buddhists

Lowamahapaya 

Lovamahapaya is a building situated between Ruvanveliseya and Sri Mahabodiya in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is also known as the Brazen Palace or Lohaprasadaya because the roof was covered with bronze tiles.

In ancient times, the building included the refectory and the uposathagara (Uposatha house). There was also a simamalake where the Sangha assembled on Poya days to recite the formula of the confessional. The famous Lohaprasada built by King Dutugemunu, described as an edifice of nine stories, was a building of this class. One side of the building was 400 ft (120 m) in length. There are 40 rows, each row consisting of 40 stone pillars, for a total of 1600 pillars. It is believed that it took six years for the construction of the building and the plan was brought from the heavens. The building was completely destroyed during the reign of King Saddhatissa. The small building in the center is late construction and is the Venue of Uposatha (chapter house) of the Maha Vihara even now.

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Beauty Of Srilanka 03

Cheap shopping, Spicy food and awesome night life

The government is constantly on the lookout to ways to attract tourists and cheap shopping is another area that is getting some serious incentives. Recently the government has cut down on the taxes for luxury items like watches, electronic gadgets making it a worthwhile buy when you visit Sri Lanka.The capital Colombo has many shopping malls and it is truly a bargain when you compare them to the prizes in Europe and United States. Although almost everything is cheaper than in Europe the best deals are found in clothing. There are plenty of clothes shops in shopping malls and in other places and the variety you find in them is truly amazing. Exporting clothes is one of the main income streams of Sri Lanka and here you can buy them for the fraction of the cost because you will bypass the taxes and the export costs etc. Jewelry is another great buy in Sri Lanka and some people just cant believe some of the prize tags attached to gem embedded jewelry claiming it simply is not possible.
Another Sri Lanka specialty is the spicy food. From the traditional rice and curry meal to the exotic sea food meals there is something for everyone. Cuttle fish, crab, prawns and shrimp are in high demand because of lack of availability in most European countries. Then there are the tropical fruits found in Sri Lanka like pineapple, rambutan, durian and papaw and of course traditional Sri Lankan food like milk rice. There are hundreds of restaurants in the Colombo city alone and sea food restaurants by the sea are the most popular among tourists.
Night life is heavily encouraged by the government with special streets specially allocated for this purpose filled with food stalls, music and other entertainment.

Land of Buddha

 

Although a largely diverse population, nearly 70% of the country is Buddhist. Since the introduction of Buddhism to the country by King Devanampiya Tissa of the 3rd century BC, it has been an integral part of the country’s culture. A tour of the country is not complete without a visit to some of the ancient and modern, life sized Buddha statues and temples.

The Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy is revered by Buddhists worldwide and is said to hold a relic of the Buddha’s left canine tooth.



Awsome hospitality

 

The locals pride themselves on their Sri Lankan hospitality. This is not just something you taste in the spicy curry dishes, but also in the beaming smiles. During your visit, I certainly recommend taking a little time to meet some of the people you pass by.

Beauty Of Srilanka 02

Golden Sands and Sunny Beaches

 

As an island nation, Sri Lanka is surrounded by the Indian Oceana. A trip to Sri Lanka is not complete without surfing, body boarding or just laying under the sun on its golden beaches that have been a tourist mainstay for years.The golden beaches of Sri Lanka are without doubt one of the top tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. With sunshine all throughout the year we Sri Lankans tend to forget that in some countries the sun shines for only one or two months. For most European visitors sun bathing is the thing they most enjoy when visiting this beautiful country. It still amazes me how much they enjoy a weekend in a beach resort working on there tan. Being a island there are plenty of beaches for you to enjoy and relax but there are few famous beaches in Sri Lanka that provide you with that extra beauty and comfort.Nilaveli beach in Trincomalee was opened to the public recently and it is one of the most purest white sand beaches in Asia. Other than that there are some famous tourist destinations like the Beruwela-Benthota beach area and Negombo beach area which have luxurious hotels to go with beautiful beaches. Mount Lavinia beach is probably the best beach that is closest to Colombo and if you are a surfer then Arugam bay is the place for you since it is considered one of the top ten surfing destinations in the world. 

Explore nature  

Eco-tourism in Sri Lanka is a growing industry and if you are someone who loves to spend a relaxing holiday close to nature then Sri Lanka might be just the place for you. There are many nature resorts in Sri Lanka, mostly these are bungalows converted to resorts. Mostly they are in a secluded area in a forest beside a fresh water stream or a waterfall with a natural pool to enjoy a safe bath. Although there are luxurious nature resorts most of them focus on providing a relaxing experience close to nature so you want find satellite TV, High speed internet and other modern luxuries in most of these resorts. What you will mostly find is nature trails leading through waterfalls and forests and some trekking for the more adventurous.

Boutique hotels is another growing trend in Sri Lanka with the rise of the tourism, For tourists who have some money to spend this might be the best option. Most of these are exclusive places where you have a private pool, your very own butler, all the modern day luxuries and a whole lot of other delicacies. These are places where they go that extra mile to make you happy and worth the prize you are paying for it.

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Beauty Of Srilanka

Safari Rides and night camping at More than fifty nature reserves and wildlife parks.

 

Watching wildlife is another major tourist attraction which is evident by the number of national parks in the country. Yala National park is the most famous of the wildlife parks in Sri Lanka but there are plenty more with each having unique attributes. If you are looking to see leopards then Yala is the best place, Wasgamuwa is famous for bear sighting and somewhat adventurous Elephants.Elephants, Peacock, Wild buffaloes, Crocodiles, Wild boar,deer and monkeys are also found in almost any national park.A wide range of birds are also found in these national parks and if you are specially interested in bird watching then Kumana bird sanctuary is the best place for you.

If few hours of Safari ride is not enough for you there are bungalows and camping sites inside the parks so you can watch wildlife in a more relaxed manner. Most of these bungalows are located near stream and are a great location to view wildlife in the evening and early morning. You can view them at night as well during the full moon.
As Elephant watching is a major tourist attraction there are some places specifically created where you can watch and mingle with them in semi wildlife conditions.Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage is one such place where you can indulge in activities like bottle feeding baby elephants and also have a very close look at Elephants bathing in the river.

The home of tea  

Sri Lanka is one of the world’s largest tea exporters with over 20% market share by volume. “Ceylon Tea” is also one of the few commodities that command a premium, fetching about 50% more than competitors at auction markets. Surprisingly however tea is not native to Sri Lanka and was a gift by British colonists such as the famed tea grower Sir James Lipton. Today, Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka’s highlands is the world’s tea capital.

Magnificent Remains from Ancient ruins

Sri Lanka has a written history that goes well beyond 2000 years and the splendor of those grand old days are yet intact in some places. There are eight world heritage sites in Sri Lanka and and six of them are cultural ones. The most visited of them all is definitely the Sigiriya rock fortress which is sometime known as the eighth wonder of the world as well. There are so much to explore and enjoy in these historic sites that it will take a lifetime to visit all those places. Although you can visit a place like Sigiriya, Dambulla rock temple in one day you can never experience all the things the ancient city of Anuradhapura holds in one day. You can see the magnificent dagobas, beautiful palaces and the moonstones and guard stones surrounding them, beautifully carved ponds built for the clergy and royalty or enjoy hundreds of beautifully carved statues of Lord Buddha and other kings. If you are a lover of historical places there is no place as Sri Lanka to see them.

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Sri Lanka Map

About Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is shaped like a giant teardrop falling from the southern tip of the vast Indian subcontinent and in the past it is known as pearl of the indian ocean. It is separated from India by the 50km wide Palk Strait, although there is a series of stepping-stone coral islets known as Adam's Bridge which almost form a land bridge between the two countries. The island is just 350km long and only 180km wide at its widest, and is about the same size as Ireland, West Virginia or Tasmania.


The southern half of the island is dominated by beautiful and rugged hill country. The entire northern half comprises a large plain extending from the edge of the hill country to the Jaffna peninsula. The highest mountain is the 2524m Mt Pidurutalagala near Nuwara Eliya and the longest river is the Mahaweli which courses from the centre and empties into the Indian Ocean at Trincomalee. The best beaches are on the south-western, southern and south-eastern coasts.


Ebony, teak, silkwood and spectacular orchids are found in the dense south-western tropical rainforests. Hardy grasslands, rhododendrons and stunted forests predominate in the cool, damp highlands, and shrubs and grasslands survive in arid zones in the north. Animal life is profuse and includes the ubiquitous elephant, as well as leopards, deer, monkeys, sloth bears, wild boar, cobras, crocodiles, dugong and turtles. The island is an important seasonal home to migrating birds, including flamingoes, who flock to the lagoons, wetlands and bird sanctuaries for respite from the northern winter. The best time to see birds is between January and April.


Sri Lanka is a typically tropical country with distinct dry and wet seasons but the picture is somewhat complicated by the fact that it is subject to two monsoons: the Yala season (May to August), when the south-west monsoon brings rain to the southern, western and central regions; and the Maha season (October to January), when the north-east monsoon brings rain to the north and east of the island. Temperatures in the low-lying coastal regions are high year round but they rapidly fall with altitude and in the hill country, where it feels like perpetual spring. The highest temperatures are from March through June while November to January is usually the coolest time of the year. Rainfall is heaviest in the south, south west and central highlands; the northern and north-central regions are very dry. The best time to visit the west, south coast and hill country is between December and March. May to September is best on the east coast.