Sri Lanka - Gem of Indian Ocean!

This trip was one of our much planned trip. Spending the New Year in the Gem of Indian Ocean was something I could not have asked for more. Our trip was a complete 8days/9nights package arranged by Su Lanka Tours. Right from pick-up from the airport (Colombo) to the drop at the Colombo airport was just right. We reached Colombo early in the morning at 4 and started our much awaited tour on the same morning by 9. Not wasting much of our time, we went out to discover the city of Sri Lanka, “Colombo”.

Colombo is Sri Lanka's commercial capital and the largest city with a population of nearly five million. One of the best destinations in Sri Lanka in the metropolis and suburban areas. Colombo boasts a lot of attractions and we sited few of them.

• The Galle Face Green is a ribbon of green space located in the heart of the city along the Indian Ocean Coast, and is a popular destination amongst the tourists. The Galle Face Hotel is a historic landmark on the southern edge of this promenade. The stroll alongside the coast is one you ought to experience!

• Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most important temples in Colombo. The temple complex demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian and Chinese architecture. The area that was once a swamp beside the Beira lake, has now turned o be an iconic complex which consists of the temple, the assembly hall and the vocational training institute. We could seek the blessings of Lord Buddha and this place is also known as The Temple of the Hair Relic.

• Independence Square is a national monument in Sri Lanka built for the commemoration of the Independence of Sri Lanka from the British rule with the establishment of Dominion of Ceylon on February 4, 1948. It is located at the Independence Square (formerly Torrington Square) in the Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo. It also houses the Independence Memorial Museum. Located at the head of the monument is the statue of the first prime minister of the country Rt. Hon. Don Stephen Senanayake, "Father of the Nation".

• The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference is a convention center gifted by the People's Republic of China in memory of Solomon Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike, prime Minister of Sri Lanka, from 1956 to 1959. The construction of the Hall was carried out by Sri Lankan and Chinese workforce with a considerable portion of the building materials imported from China.

• Viharamahadevi Park  is an urban park next to the National Museum, Colombo. It is one of the oldest and the largest park in Colombo and features a large Buddha Statue. There is a small play area devoted to kids with swings & slides.

Other places include the old Parliament, Town Hall, National Museum, Beira Lake, and National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka.

Our next halt was Galle (3 hours drive from Colombo) which is blessed with a variety of attractions such as pristine beaches, breath taking coral reefs and fortress. Galle represents a perfect blend of European architectural styles and South Asian traditions. There are a number of things to see and do while holidaying in this fortified city of Galle.

• The Fort of Galle  is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was initially built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and then extensively fortified by the Dutch in the 17th Century. The Fort of Galle is one of the largest and most secured fortress in Sri Lanka. A stroll at the Fort of Galle is something which is not to be missed!

• Galle lighthouse stands apart with a breathtaking view of the beacon that lies within the complex. 

• Galle International Cricket Stadium - Every city/town has its own cricket stadium for its budding cricketers. Galle is one of the most picturesque stadium in the world. This is the stadium where the renowned cricketer Shane Warne got the 500th Test wicket.

One may like to visit the Historical Mansion Museum, National Maritime Archaeology Museum and the Port of Galle.  Galle is definitely a place of mesmerizing beauty at its best. It’s a place to sit and relax

Our journey then stepped into a wonderful train ride from Hatton to Nanu-Oya (via the main line) to head to our next destination Nuwara Eliya. The 2 hours train journey helped us to see some breath-taking and mesmerising views of Sri Lanka hills.

Nuwara Eliya is one of the cities that lies at the highest altitude of Sri Lanka. It is considered as one of the popular tourist destination and is a classic example of climate diversity of Sri Lanka. Like any other hill station, Nuwara Eliya boasts a cool climate but gets warmer during the day. It is believed that King Ravana had a capital in the region of Nuwara Eliya. It is said that King Ravana kept Sita in a place called Sita-Eliya where we now find a Hindu temple by the name Sita Amman Kovil.

• Sita Amman Kovil lies close to Haggala Botanical Garden. There is a beautiful stream of waterfall behind the temple complex wherein it is believed that Sita used to bathe in. We were offered sweet rice as prasadam in the complex.

• Haggala Botanic Garden is said to be the highest set botanical garden in the world. With beautiful landscapes and paved way flanked by trees on either sides, this place is definitely worth taking a stroll!

• Gregory lake is a significant tourist attraction. Unfortunately, due to heavy rains, we could not enjoy boating.

While the tourists in Nuwara Eliya prefer to visit the Pedro Tea Factory, we decided to visit the Mackwoods Tea Factory, which produces high quality tea and is considered as one of the most modern tea factories in Nuwara Eliya.

With various water falls dotting down the place, Nuwara Eliya is a place blissful to watch!

Before proceeding to Kandy, we had a pit-stop at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage which was established in 1975 with 5 orphaned elephants. It is a house for nearly 90 orphaned elephants. The orphange serves as a conservation and breeding centre and is a world famous attraction due to its unique way of maintaining such a large herd of elephants. 
Visitors have an opportunity not only to observe the elephants bathing in the Ma-Oya River but also to feed them with fruits. In the past, the visitors were allowed to feed milk as well; but now it is fed by the experts and is open to all to watch the same. We had a great time witnessing the baby elephant being protected by adults all around in the herd! 

We then proceeded to Kandy, most famous for the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. The temple's complex depicts the architectural marvels of ancient Sri Lanka. Since we visited the temple in the morning hours of the New Year, it was overcrowded by the worshippers to seek the blessings of the Almighty.

We then visited Sri Dalada Museum, International Buddhist Museum, Magul Maduwa (Audience Hall), Rajah Tusker Hall, Kandy Lake all in and around the temple. The Rajah Tusker Hall has the stuffed remains of the noble Tusker "Rajah" who carried the casket of the Sacred Tooth Relic in the Kandy Esala Perahera for 37 years and took part in the Esala Perahera for about 50 years until his death in 1988. International Buddhist Museum showcases the connection of Buddhism in 17 countries. Let us not forget, that the origin of Buddhism is from India (Our Mother Land)! And it’s so good to see India being given importance and highlighted by other countries!

We then headed to Matale, which lies between Kandy and Dambulla and is famous for spices. We visited the spice garden and were guided by the Ayurvedic and herbal specialist who informed us about the various importance of spices and its benefit. I had a facial massage which was quite relaxing.  

Our next destination was Dambulla, located 55 km north of Matale. It is famous for the cave temples and also for the iconic Golden temple. The caves are considered to be the finest storehouse of Sinhala art and sculpture.  One has to climb 600 steps to visit the caves.

It has five caves under a vast overhanging single rock. The ceilings of the complex are painted with religious images. There are also images of Lord Buddha, the Bodhisattvas as well as various Gods and Goddesses, a little complex to understand without a guide! Each cave describes the period of Buddhist establishment starting from Anuradhapura period to Pollanruwa period.  The caves and the paintings are magnificent to look out, though most of the paintings are faded and beyond recognition. Dambulla caves is a must visit for any traveller who visits Lanka.

To know more about Dambulla caves, visit https://www.goldentemple.lk/site/.

Golden Temple is a modern temple lying at the foot of the cave temples hill established as a monastery. A 30-metre high gilded Buddha image depicting the Dhammachakka Mudra lies atop this magnificent temple. This breathtaking Buddha image was erected in 2001 with Japanese donations.

We then checked in to our hotel at Sigiriya (our final destination) for our adventure the next day.

Sigiriya is a wonderful ancient palace built atop 660 feet top rock column, and is a wonderful rock castle and creation of King Kassapa (AD 477-495). It is considered to be one of the most important urban planning sites of the first millenium. On the west side of the rock, there is a park for the royals which contains water retaining structures with hydraulic system, some of which are working even today. To the South, there is a man-made reservoir. Five gates were placed at the entrances. There is a mirror wall (which is a 3 metre high brick wall with a mirror like highly polished plaster.)This wall was meant for early visitors to note their impressions of the women in the gallery. It contains about 1000 year graffiti which shows evolution of Sinhala language. 

There are frescoes which date to 5th century and are one of the most famous feature of Sigiriya. These represent either apsara or concubines of King Kassappa but unfortunately most of them have faded today and only few paintings can be clearly seen. 

One needs to climb 1200 steps from the base to reach the royal palace of the King.However, one can only see the remains of the palaces, cisterns, gardens and a large pond used for water storage.  En-route there are other facilities for the king like a massage centre, the King's and the Army's rest place, the dance courtyard etc.

This place was one of the best we visited in Lanka and every step has a history to tell!

We then left for Colombo the next day with lot of memories. Looking forward to soon cover the North of Sri Lanka. Truly, Sri Lanka is really a Gem of Indian Ocean!

PS: Hotels We Stayed :
Colombo - Mirage Colombo 
Galle - Avenra Beach Resort
Nuwara Eliya - Tea Bush Ramboda

Kandy - Riverside Villa, Kandy
Sigiriya - Kassappa Lion Rock