COLOMBO: Sri Lanka is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Asian region, as it contains a mixture of golden beaches, natural and unique wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. According to the World Tourism Organization, Sri Lanka has the advantage of having 49 sites classified as unique attractions, 91 as rare attractions, and 7 world heritage sites, and 6 of the 300 ancient monuments in the world. Susan Eardly invites you to explore some of Sri Lanka’s amazing tourism experiences.
ESALA PERAHERA
The glittering Esala Perahera is one of the oldest and grandest events we have in Sri Lanka. Many Sri Lankans and foreigners look forward to witness this wonderful festival every year. This is held during the Esala month, in August, honouring the sacred tooth relic. Sri Lanka is considered the foremost sacred place of worship in the Buddhist world and the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dālada) of the Buddha is the most venerated object of worship for Buddhists. The relic is a sacred symbol for Sri Lankans and housed in the country’s most sacred temple, Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) in the ancient capital of Kandy.
In its current form, Esala Perahera incorporates Hindu deities into its festivities, as four of the parades now start at Hindu temples. There’s a parade for every night of the festival (10 in all), with the processions getting longer, more intense and increasingly colorful as the festival gets underway. The parades are a sensual spectacle: you’ll inhale wafting incense, jasmine and frangipani bouquets; sway along to the incessant drum beats; stare in delight at the elephants and dancers adorned in exotic costumes; and gasp in awe as fire eaters swing burning coconut husks from chains and men crack whips to scare away demons only inches from people’s faces. Esala Perahera is one of the world’s best examples of how collective effervescence can encompass not only locals and devotees, but anyone who’s lucky enough to take part in this ancient, alluring festival.
JAFFNA NALLUR FESTIVAL
The lunar month of Esala – July/August- is the main period of religious festivals in Sri Lanka. These festivals are associated with both the Buddhist and Hindu traditions in the country, and date back to ancient times. The festivals takes place throughout the country, with many “pereharas” or colorful processions and other captivating rituals that depict the culture of the country and its people.
Jaffna peninsula has many shrines or Kovils dedicated to Hindu deities – both gods and goddesses. Among these, the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil or Nallur Murugan kovil, more commonly known as the Nallur Temple, is one of the most important Hindu shrines in the North of Sri Lanka. The Nallur festival stands among the longest festivals in Sri Lanka, spread over twenty five days of traditional and vibrant chariot processions, with drumming, dancing and many acts of self – mortification, held in honor of the god of War, Skanda or Murugan. Sri Lankans and tourists flock in large numbers to experience this festival, as in other Sri Lankan festivals.
HILL COUNTRY HOLIDAYS
The hill country is a world away from the rest of Sri Lanka, with tangled green mountains rising from every quarter, their lower slopes swathed in verdant tea bushes. While the parched lowlands sweat beneath an eternal tropical summer, the uplands bask in a perpetual European spring, turning to a crisp autumnal chill at higher elevations. Spectacular waterfalls plunge over cliffs into valleys hemmed in between high mountainsides. The cloud forest above is alive with the secretive chirruping’s of elusive mountain birds.
Some of the fascinating places to explore in the hill country:
Nuwara Eliya
Known as ‘Little England’, Nuwara Eliya is a four and half hour drive from Colombo, and is the island’s coolest region at altitudes of over 6,000 feet. Its landscape bears the highest mountain in Sri Lanka known as Piduruthalagala. In April it’s the peak season where the climate is pleasantly chill and gardens are full of blooms. The season is dominated by horse racing tournaments. Key attractions in Nuwara Eliya include the Victoria and Hakgala Park, Galway Sanctuary for migrant and endemic birds, St. Clair and Devon Falls, Ambewela farm, Lake Gregory for boat rides to explore scenery, the opportunity to go trekking in Horton Plains, and the Pattipola Railway station, the highest railway station in the country.
Hatton
Hatton is a simple town within Nuwara Eliya with landscapes dominated by the hilly tea plantations and reservoirs. The main attractions in Hatton include the pilgrimage site of Adam’s Peak and the Castlereagh Reservoir.
Ella
Ella is the picturesque hamlet in the Badulla district in all its hill country charm. It draws attention for sites associated with the legendary tale of Ramayana. You also can plan hiking through breathtaking views, tea plantations and encounter waterfalls along the way. Among the attractions in Ella are Ella Rock, Ella Gap, Ravana Cave and Ravana Ella.
Bandarawela
Bandarawela is large town in Badulla district. There are many quaint little bungalows and rest houses to stop over for a meal while enjoying the unusually established gardens. Also you can explore many ancient temples and churches in and round the region. Some of the main attractions in Bandarawela are Dhowa Buddhist Rock Temple, St. Anthony’s Church, and Adisham Bungalow.
THE HOSPITALITY, HISTORY & HERITAGE TOUR
Habarana
Habarana is a small city in the north central Anuradhapura district, an ancient capital of Sri Lanka. The city is famed for its chain of high class tourist resorts. Habarana is a popular tourist destination for safari lovers as it is the starting point for safaris in the nearby Habarana jungle and the Minneriya sanctuary which is heavily populated by elephants. Elephant back riding is also an attraction in this small city. Habarana is situated near the ancient rock fortress and castle/palace ruin of Sigiriya and is situated on the main road from Colombo to the northeastern city of Trincomalee and northcentral city of Polonnaruwa, which was also an ancient capital of Sri Lanka.
Minneriya National Park
This wildlife sanctuary affords ample opportunities for guests to enjoy close encounters with wild elephants, especially during the dry months of August and October, where more than 300 elephants gather on the shores of the reservoir. A Jeep Safari to this jungle would be an amazing experience.
Kaudulla National Park
Kaudulla National Park is located 224 km away from Colombo and is a national park. It was pronounced a national park very recently (April 1st of 2002) becoming the 15th park in the country. The Birdlife International indentifies Kaudulla as an Important Bird Area. Before becoming a national park it was one of the 16 irrigation tanks built by King Mahasen. It attracts a variety of plant and animal life with a large prominence in large mammals, fish and reptiles.
Village Tour
One of the most memorable Sri Lankan experiences is the Safari Village Tour. You will get an insight of village lifestyle.
Sigiriya – A Unesco World Heritage Site
Climb the amazing rock of Sigiriya with its impregnable palace fortress built in the fifth century and enjoy the magnificent views over the once magnificent royal pool, the throne, remains of the majestic palace, walkways and gardens.
Dambulla
As a part of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle Dambulla is close to the ancient sites of Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya and the former capital Kandy.
Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla Cave Temple first came to use as a refuge for King Valagambahu in 1st century BC. Concealed by the local monks upon returning from exile to his throne at Anuradhapura he had the magnificent cave temple built for them. The cave temple consists of a complex of Buddhist image houses. Its rock ceiling is one large sweep of colorful frescoes, some of which dates back to over 2,000 years, which depicts Buddhist mythology, and the tales of the Buddha’s previous births. This cave temple has the largest number of Buddha statues all housed in one place, including a 14 meter long, colossal figure of the recumbent Buddha carved out of the rock.
Jathika Namal Uyana
Jathika Namal Uyana is one of the many noteworthy attractions in Dambulla which lay hidden for centuries until it was discovered and brought to public attention by Venerable Wanawasi Rahula Thero over a decade ago. Since then, many travellers have frequented this lush forest, surrounded by greenery and wildlife.
BENTOTA AND THE SOUTHWEST EXPERIENCE
Bentota and the southwest experience
Famous for its golden beaches and water sports, the resort town of Bentota is located in the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, on the southern coastal tip of the Galle district of the country’s Southern Province.
Bentota water sports
Bentota is the water-sports capital of Sri Lanka, and is home to a comprehensive water sports centre that is equipped with jet skis, water skis, surf boards, speed boats, and much more. The sports centre attendants have plenty of tips and information to aid you.
Bentota river safari
As the Thumbelina Apartments are situated on the Bentota River (the third largest river in Sri Lanka), there is ample opportunity to go on a river boat safari. On a few hours trip you can see the famous mangroves of Bentota followed by an excursion to the 800 year-old Wanawasala Buddhist temple. A whole day river cruise could include a visit to a village hideaway for special home-cooked rice and curry lunch, and perhaps even include a local wedding ceremony performance. Crocodiles are rare now but there are plenty of water monitors and river birds to be seen.
Kande Viharaya temple
Kande Viharaya in Aluthgama (next to Bentota) has the tallest sitting Buddha statue at about 48m / 160ft in height. The building of the Kande Viharaya was initiated way back in 1734 by the Ven. Dedduwa Dhammananda Thero, an understudy of the most Ven. Weliwita Sri Saranankara Nayaka Thero. Thousands of devotees flock the holy grounds of the Kande Viharaya daily, seeking mental & spiritual relief from all the troubles & worries of day to day life. The tranquility and serenity that the Kande Viharaya brings into your heart, mind, body & soul cannot be expressed or described with words. It has to be experienced.
Beruwela fishing harbour
Beruwela is about 10 to 15 minutes by tuk tuk from Bentota. It is a large commercial fishing harbour. The best time to visit is early morning about 7.00a.m. At this hour the fresh fish are available directly off the night fishing boats.
Brief Garden
This was once a rubber estate which was transformed into a magnificent garden by renowned landscape artist Bevis Bawa, the brother of renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa. The gardens are surrounded by sprouts of bamboo and a gate, at the entrance of the gate there is a bell that has to be rung to gain permission to enter the gardens. The gardens are subdivided and landscaped according to varying themes including a Japanese water garden. Visitors could also step into the house where Bevis Bawa resided and enjoy the wooden antique Dutch furniture, wall hangings, sculptures and an assorted display of paintings.
Moonstone mine
Sri Lanka is famous for its precious gems and moonstones. Moonstones belong to the semi-precious category but are an important component of the gem business. Meetiyagoda, located between Ambalangoda and Hikkaduwa, is one of the few places where they are found in such high concentrations. It is believed by the villagers that this piece of land, around an acre in extent, is blessed by the moon, hence the name. The moonstone is grey and feels cool and smooth to the touch when polished and has a glow like that of the moon. At Meetiyagoda, you can see or even go down into the deep, narrow shafts from which the stones are mined. The small visitor centre will provide information related to this stone while the large shop on the premises sells moonstones as well as other stones.
Turtle conservation
The sea turtles project is one of the turtle hatcheries located along the southern coast. This hatchery is located 3 Km south of the Bentota bridge. These turtle hatcheries were constructed to rescue and protect turtle eggs because of the rapidly declining numbers of marine turtle in Sri Lankan shores. Marine turtle eggs are purchased from the fisherman and re-buried along the beach and left there for 48 days allowing the eggs ample time to hatch. Thereafter the baby turtles are collected from the beach and kept in tanks for 2-3 days.
The writer is a Director of Serene Vacations Lanka (Pvt) Limited. You may contact Susan at susan@eol.lk
