Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka Part 01 By Erickson Tissera

Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. It comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.

Polonnaruwa lies 216 km northeast of Colombo, 140kms northeast of Kandy and 104kms southeast of Anuradhapura. Sri Lanka's medieval capital (11th - 12th Century AD) is a well-preserved city of ancient dagobas, moonstones, beautiful parks, massive buildings and stunningly beautiful statues. The majestic King's Council Chamber, the Lotus Bath, the Lanka Thilaka Viharaya, the Gal Viharaya (rock temple) and the statue of one of Polonnaruwa's great kings, Parakramabahu, are a few of this capital's memorable sights. The Sea of Parakrama - a vast 12th century man-made reservoir dominates the city. Although it is nearly 1000 years old, it is much younger than Anuradhapura, and in much better repair. Moreover, the monuments here are located in a more compact area, and their development is easier to follow

Dambulla Temple

Dating back to the 1st Century BC, this is the most impressive cave temple in Sri Lanka. It has five caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry. In 1938 the architecture was embellished with arched colonnades and gabled entrances. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images following the contours of the rock. There are images of the Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses.

The temple is composed of five caves, which have been converted into shrine rooms. The caves, built at the base of a 150m high rock during the Anuradhapura (1st Century BC to 993 AD) and Polonnaruwa times (1073 to 1250), are by far the most impressive of the many cave temples found in Sri Lanka. Access is along the gentle slope of the Dambulla Rock, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding flat lands, which includes the rock fortress Sigiriya, 19kms away. Families of friendly monkeys make the climb even more interesting. Dusk brings hundreds of swooping swallows to the cave entrance. The largest cave measures about 52m from east to west, and 23m from the entrance to the back, this spectacular cave is 7m tall at its highest point. Hindu deities are also represented here, as are the kings Valgamba and Nissankamalla, and Ananda - the Buddha's most devoted disciple.

Adams Peak Sri Lanka

Jutting sharply skyward from the lush jungles of southwestern Sri Lanka is the 7362 foot (2243 meter) peak of Sri Pada, the 'Holy Footprint'. Also called Adam's Peak, the mountain has the unique distinction of being sacred to the followers of four of the world's major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. Long before the development of these religions, however, the mountain was worshiped by the aboriginal inhabitants of Sri Lanka, the Veddas. Their name for the peak was Samanala Kanda; Saman being one of the four guardian deities of the island. For Hindus, the name of the mountain is Sivan Adi Padham, because it was the world-creative dance of the god Shiva that left the giant footprint (5 feet 7 inches by 2 feet 6 inches). According to Buddhist traditions from as early as 300 BC, the real print is actually beneath this larger marking. Imprinted on a huge sapphire, it was left by the Buddha during the third and final of his legendary visits to Sri Lanka. When Portuguese Christians came to the island in the 16th century they claimed the impression to be the footprint of St. Thomas who, according to legend, first brought Christianity to Sri Lanka. And finally, the Arabs record it as being the solitary footprint of Adam where he stood for a thousand years of penance on one foot. An Arab tradition tells that when Adam was expelled from heaven, God put him on the peak to make the shock less terrible - Ceylon being that place on earth closest to and most like heaven.

Sri Lanka Tourism - Wild Life, Plants & Botanical Gardens

Kadupul Flower

The legendary flower, named Kadupul, is believed to be an offering of Celestial Nagas for Buddha after they bloom. Kadupul flowers emit strange fragrance as it blooms during midnight. Strangely, these flowers immediately die during dawn.
Seeing Kadupul flower blooms is a very rare experience among those that grow the flower. Kadupul flower is native to Sri Lankan lands but still, the blooming of the flowers has rarely been spotted even by the locals.

The Boulder Garden

Located on the edge of the Sinharaja Forest, this remarkable eco-tourist hotel was hand-built into, under and around a slew of gigantic boulders. Delicious food is served in the open-air restaurant situated beneath the largest boulder, a unique experience; it's not unlike dining under the prow of the Titanic! There is also a cave bar and spring-water swimming pool tucked into the shady, quiet and luxurious surroundings. The bedrooms have a rustic charm to them with rough stone walls, shutters rather than windows and no doors on the bathrooms. Guided walks can be arranged into the nature reserve (about a 30 minute drive) although you can see plenty of bird, insect, reptile and mammal life around the resort.

 Hotel Entrance

The Restaurant

 






 




 




 










































"Boulder Garden, Kalawana" is located in idyllic and unspoiled surrounding on South Western lowland of Sri Lanka.

160 Km from Colombo International Air Port and only 2 Km from Kalawana, 15 Km from Boulder Garden to Sinharaja. The Virgin rain forest.

Sinharaja is known for its last viable area of "Primary Tropical Rainforest" of the Country. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. There is much endemic wildlife, especially birds, but the reserve is also home to 50% of the endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians.

Hello There

I would like to say that this is not your average travel guide to sri lanka but, it is the image of sri lanka through my eyes. I only wish to share the experiences and sights that i have come across that i think every one should also go and witness for them selves.

HOTELS

Sunset Beach Negombo

The milestone of perfect Holiday located along the unspoiled sandy beaches is designed to compliment its breath taking location, perfect for sunset over splendid view of the Blue Ocean silhouetted with sail boats, added on to such is the inherent courtesy of the friendly caring staff who will make you feel a very important person.

• Bar / Lounge
• Cable / Satellite TV
• Restaurant
• Room Service
• Safe-Deposit Box
• Swimming pool

Its not a painting its the real thing you gotta see it for your self!

Lots of Fishing

Lagoon Resthouse

On

Custom House Rd, Town Centre, close to the seafront near the lagoon mouth are the ruins of the old Dutch fort, which has a fine gateway inscribed with the date 1678. Also here is a green, called Esplanade, where cricket matches are a big attraction. Several old Dutch buildings are still in use, including the Lagoon Resthouse .

Negombo

Hello, all you travel people welcome to my BLOG, hmmmmm Negombo is where i thought i start this journey because in the end this is where it will end to start again.
From my own personal experience i would prefer to be here, only in Negombo you will find shops, restaurants, pubs open till late night. Every place i visited in sri lanka apart from the city life in Colombo retire for the night at 9:00pm. What i found in Negombo is an atmosphere of peace friendly people and very good low-cost restaurants with mouth watering seafood. I literally had lobster for breakfast,  lunch and dinner. The word is WOW and each meal cost me 20$ now that price for a lobster hmmmmmmmm i will let you ponder on that for a bit.
My following posts will be of sties and "Have to visit" place that i have been to in Negombo, so keep your eyes peeled.

Beaches In Negombo

Fine sandy beaches of Negombo has been mostly unexplored but less crowded as most tourists use the town for the first or the last night of their stay in Sri Lanka. That is where the advantage where you have the beach mostly to your self. Nevertheless those who have identified it's secrets have been visiting the town year after year. Fine beach stretches are superbly maintained by the hotels while some are always busy with fisherman and their equipment. Equipment for water sports such as diving, wind surfing are available at most hotels and private vendors. There are few schools offering reasonable diving courses.

In Negombo

Negombo situated by the shores of a lagoon by the same name once has been a trading port for Portugese and Dutch and is a ideal place for those who want quick access to and from the airport. Attractions in the city are the old Dutch fort gate built in 1672 now a part of the prison, the Dutch Canal which was then a supply route to the Dutch administration, old churches and fishing villagers. The 100km long canal running through the town is still being used and is an attraction for those who want to see the country from a different perspective.
The stretch of road towards Kotchchikade comes to life at dusk (most shops are open at daytime too) with many handicrafts and curio shops, gem shops, restaurants and internet cafes catering for tourists

Did you know

Sri Lanka has an elephant orphanage and every year, it serves as the venue of an elephant pageant.
The spice cinnamon originated in Sri Lanka and was discovered by the Egyptians.
Sri Lanka is amongst the leading exporters of tea in the world.
The national flag of Sri Lanka, the Lion Flag, is considered to be one of the oldest flags in the world.

Saman Villas , Aluthgama

Wowww

Did you know

The official name of Sri Lanka is ‘The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka’ and
Sri Lanka is often known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’.!!!