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Devales
There are four Kandyan devales to the gods who are followers of Buddha and protect Sri Lanka. Three of the four devales are near the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. The 14th-century Natha Devale is the oldest. It perches on a stone terrace with a fine vahalkada (solid panel of sc
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Sailatalarama Vihara
Sailatalarama Vihara lies 7km inland from Ambalangoda. This temple sits on a domed hill with broad views over spice plantations and lakes towards the ranges of the Province of Sabaragamuwa. The temple has a 35m-long sleeping Buddha statue, built by donations. Pilgrims approach the
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Jaffna Fort
Overlooking the Jaffna lagoon, sections of this vast complex (once one of the greatest Dutch forts in Asia) have been recently restored, though it remains largely in ruins. It was built in 1680 over an earlier Portuguese original, and defensive triangles were added in 1792 to produ
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Fort Frederick
Occupying the neck of a narrow peninsula, Fort Fredrick has been a defensively important site for centuries. A fortress was initially constructed here by the Portuguese in 1623 and later rebuilt by the Dutch. The British took over in 1782 (look out for royal insignias crowning the
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Lion’s Paws
At the northern end of the rock, a narrow pathway emerges on to the large platform from which the site derives its name – Sigiriya means Lion Rock. HCP Bell, the British archaeologist responsible for an enormous amount of archaeology in Sri Lanka, found the two enormous lion paws w
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Frescoes
Halfway up the rock there’s an open-air spiral stairway leading up from the main route to a long, sheltered gallery in the sheer rock face.In this niche is a series of paintings of buxom, wasp-waisted women, popularly believed to represent either apsaras (celestial nymphs) or King
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Thuparama Dagoba
In a beautiful woodland setting north of the Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba, the Thuparama Dagoba is the oldest dagoba in Sri Lanka – indeed, probably the oldest visible dagoba in the world. It was constructed by Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century BC and is said to contain the right collar
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Mirror Wall
Beyond the fresco gallery detour, the path clings to the sheer side of the rock and is protected on the outside by a 3m-high wall.This wall was coated with a smooth glaze upon which visitors felt impelled to note their impressions of the women in the gallery above – or so says loca
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Kandy Lake
Dominating the town is Kandy Lake. A leisurely stroll around it, with a few stops on the lakeside seats, is a pleasant way to spend a few hours, although monoxide-spurting buses careening around the southern edge of the lake can mar the peace somewhat. The nicest part to walk along
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Jaffna Public Library
Tellingly, one of the first major buildings to be rebuilt after the 2002 ceasefire was Jaffnas Public Library. The earlier library was burnt down by pro-government mobs (some say forces) in July 1981, a destruction deemed a cultural attack by many Tamils – few acts were more signif
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Kandasamy Kovil
This revered temple at the summit of a rocky outcrop is one of Sri Lanka’s pancha ishwaram, five historical Hindu temples dedicated to Shiva and established to protect the island from natural disaster. It houses the lingam (Hindu phallic symbol) known as the Swayambhu Lingam. Its a
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Panduwasnuwara
Almost abandoned, the 12th-century ruins of the temporary capital of Parakramabahu I are spread over a wide area.Near the entrance is a moat, the massive citadel wall and remains of a palace. Further on are image houses, dagobas and monks living quarters. Follow the road past the s
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Muthurajawela Marsh
Muthurajawela Marsh, which evocatively translates as ‘Supreme Field of Pearls’, is a little-known gem of a wetland at the southern end of Negombo’s lagoon. The area had been a rich rice-growing basin before the Portuguese constructed a canal that ruined the fields with sea water. O
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Magul Maha Vihara
About 12km west of Pottuvil lies this evocative 5th-century-BC ruin, set in a peaceful forested spot. Built by King Dhatusena (473–453 BC), the site was probably part of a royal compound. At the foot of a former shrine is a beautiful and well-preserved moonstone; ringed with elepha
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Japanese Peace Pagoda
This pagoda, 4km west of town, is a graceful stupa with a twist or two, including a vaguely Roman-looking colonnade ringing its lower level. Niches containing gilded Buddhas contrast superbly with the whitewashed body of the temple. The incense-smoked image room near the entrance,
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Yudaganawa
In a forest clearing near the village of Buttala, the ancient, ruined dagoba (stupa) of Yudaganawa is an enigmatic and powerful site. Only the bottom third remains, but the setting is evocative and your imagination can run riot with thoughts of how amazing it must have looked back
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Pottuvil Lagoon
The mangroves, islands and waterways of Pottuvil Lagoon are a rich ecosystem teeming with giant monitor lizards, crocodiles, kingfishers, the occasional elephant (who does not like to be disturbed), eagles, peacocks, egrets and monkeys. Birdlife includes spoonbills, stilts, several
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Houses of Worship
Jaffna’s countless other Hindu temples , easily identified by their red-and-white-striped walls, range from tiny shrines to sprawling complexes featuring mandapaya (raised platforms with decorated pillars), ornate ponds and towering gopuram . Miralliamman Kovil , near Nallur, is pa
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Kantaka Chetiya
At the first landing a smaller flight of steps leads to this partly ruined dagoba off to the right, one of the oldest at Mihintale. It’s 12m high (originally more than 30m) and 130m around its base. A Brahmi inscription found nearby records donations for the dagoba. Its noteworthy
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Hundungoda Tea Estate
Sri Lankas tea industry can seem like one vast outdoor factory, with workers toiling endlessly for little money to produce a product thats been stripped of any cachet. Thats not the case at the Hundungoda Tea Estate, an exquisite tea plantation in the hills above Koggala, 6km inlan
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