-
Shrines
The most important shrine, Maha Devale , features the lance of the six-faced, 12-armed Hindu war god, Murugan (Skanda), who is seen as identical to the Kataragama Deviyo. Followers make offerings at daily puja at 4.30am, 10.30am and 6.30pm (no 4.30am offering on Saturdays). Outside
-
Kudimbigala Forest Hermitage
The superb 4700-hectare site of Kudimbigala Forest Hermitage is a marvellous jumble of forgotten Sigiriya-style outcrops set in dense jungle. Over 200 shrines and hermits’ lodgings are set in caves or sealed rocky overhangs here. While none is individually especially interesting, t
-
St Mark’s Church
If you’re a history buff, take a look through St Mark’s Church and peruse the old headstones. Inside is a plaque commemorating the elephant hunter Major Rogers, who was killed by lightning. Legend has it that following a particularly severe thunderstorm in Haputale in 1845, Rogers
-
Tanks
Anuradhapura has three great tanks. Nuwara Wewa , on the east side of the city, is the largest, covering about 12 sq km. It was built around 20 BC and is well away from most of the old city. The 160-hectare Tissa Wewa is the southern tank in the old city. The oldest tank, probably
-
Amangalla
The Amangalla was built in 1684 to house the Dutch governor and officers. Later, as the New Oriental Hotel, it was the lodging of choice for 1st-class P&O passengers travelling to and from Europe in the 19th century. During much of the 20th century, it was in a decades-long slo
-
Indikatu Seya Complex
Back on the road leading to Old Rd and outside the site proper are the remains of a monastery enclosed in the ruins of a stone wall. Inside are two dagobas, the larger known as Indikatu Seya (Dagoba of the Needle). Evidence suggests that this monastery was active in fostering Mahay
-
Thirukketeeswaram Kovil
On the mainland, 13km east of Mannar Town, Thirukketeeswaram Kovil is one of the pancha ishwaram , the five historical Sri Lankan Shiva temples established to protect the island from natural disaster. It’s an imposing site, with a towering, colourful gopuram . Ranged around the tem
-
Lankatilake Temple
This temple, mounted on a rocky bluff, is divided into two halves – one half Buddhist and one half Hindu. It features a Buddha image, Kandy-period paintings, rockface inscriptions and stone elephant figures. A caretaker or monk will unlock the shrine if it’s not already open. A per
-
Moonstone Mines
Have you ever wondered where that pretty little moonstone on your finger actually comes from? Head inland 7km to Mitiyagoda and you can descend (not literally) into the mucky world of mining – 18th-century style! Moonstone has been mined in these sweltering forests forever and the
-
Beach
Even though it could never compete in a beauty contest against many Sri Lankan beaches, Negombos beach, which stretches north from the town right along the hotel strip before fading into a palm tree distance, has been recently tidied up and, in front of the big hotels, is now quite
-
Hakgala Gardens
The pleasantly dishevelled Hakgala Gardens, 10km southeast of Nuwara Eliya (and about 200m lower), are a peaceful retreat. Legend has it that Hanuman, the monkey god, was sent by Rama to the Himalayas to find a particular medicinal herb. He forgot which herb he was looking for and
-
War Ruins
Jaffna is slowly rebuilding and repairing the damage left from the war. But east of the fort was Jaffna’s former government district, and some ruined structures, like the former kachcheri (administrative office), remain, pockmarked by bullets and shrapnel, moss-encrusted and slowly
-
Mahaseya Dagoba
This dagoba (arguably the largest at Mihintale) is thought to have been built to house relics of Mahinda. The bodhi tree to the left of the base of the steps is said to be one of the oldest surviving ones. From here there is a view over the lakes and trees to Anuradhapura, a horizo
-
Star Fortress
An imposing Portuguese-Dutch construction, this star-shaped fortress is situated right by the causeway to the island and ringed by a moat. Its desperately in need of renovation, but the ruins are atmospheric and contain the roofless remains of a chapel, dungeon and Dutch belltower.
-
Murugan Devale
Okanda is home to the Murugan Devale (a devale is a complex designed for worshipping a Hindu or Sri Lankan deity). Though relatively small, the main temple has a very colourful gopuram (gateway tower), which survived the 2004 tsunami and is a major point on the Pada Yatra pilgrimag
-
Wolvendaal Church
The 1749 Wolvendaal Church is the most important Dutch building in Sri Lanka. When the church was built, this area was a wilderness beyond the city walls. The Europeans mistook the packs of roaming jackals for wolves, and the area became known as Wolf’s Dale, or Wolvendaal in Dutch
-
St Anthony’s Church
One of the city’s most interesting shrines is St Anthony’s Church. Outside it looks like a typical Portuguese Catholic church, but inside the atmosphere is distinctly subcontinental. There are queues of devotees offering puja (offerings or prayers) to a dozen ornate statues; a stat
-
Main Fish Market
Each day, fishermen take their oruvas (outrigger canoes) and go out in search of the fish for which Negombo is well known. They’re a fine sight as they sweep home into the lagoon after a fishing trip. Fish auctions on the beach and sales at the fish market near the fort are a slipp
-
Brief Garden
Ten kilometres inland from Bentota is the Brief Garden. A barely controlled riot of a garden out of The Jungle Book , the grounds are a lovely place to get lost. The house, which used to be the home of Bevis Bawa, brother of renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, has an eclectic range o
-
Kaudulla National Park
This park stands on the fringe of the ancient Kaudulla Tank. It established a 6656-hectare elephant corridor between Somawathiya Chaitiya National Park and Minneriya National Park. Just 6km off the Habarana–Trincomalee road at Gal Oya junction, it is already a popular safari tour f
Total
424 -travel
FirstPage PreviousPage NextPage LastPage CurrentPage:
17/22 20-travel/Page GoTo Page:
