Anuradhapura |
District:
Anuradhapura |
Typical Weather:
Warm & Sunny |
Dist. from Colombo:
206 km | |
 |
Sri Lanka's first capital, founded in the 5th century B.C. is
situated 206 km. from Colombo. Attractions worth seeing are:- The
Sacred Bo Tree, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Jetavanaramaya, Brazen Palace,
Thuparama Dagaba, Samadhi Buddha, Kuttam Pokuna and Mirisavati
Dagaba. |
|
Mihintale |
District:
Anuradhapura |
Typical Weather:
Warm & Sunny |
Dist. from
Colombo: 217 km | |
 |
Situated 11 km. east of Anuradhapura is Mihintale, regarded
as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The rock is dotted with
shrines and rock dwellings. A grand stairway of 1840 steps made of
granite slabs, 5 metres wide, leads to the summit with its splendid
view of the surrounding countryside. |
|
Polonaruwa |
District: Polonnaruwa |
Weather:
Warm & Sunny |
Dist.
from Colo: 216 km | |
 |
The largest of the man made reservoirs, the huge
Parakrama Samudra, is larger in size than the Colombo harbour. See
also the ruins of the King's Council Chamber, the Royal Citadel, the
Kumara Pokuna, Royal Pavilion, the Vatadage Relic House lavished
with moonstones, guardstones and sculptured railing, Kiri Vehera -
the best preserved of all Sri Lanka's un-restored dagabas; Gal
Vihare - the most impresive sculptures are the colossal Buddha
images carved on the face of a granite boulder. The recumbent Buddha
measures 14 metres and the standing figure is 7 metres in
height. (see some pictures & more) |
|
Sigiriya |
District:
Matale |
Weather:
Warm & Sunny |
Dist.
from Colombo: 169 km | |
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This rock fortress was built by king Kasyapa in the 5th
century A.D. and was a royal citadel for more than 18 years. In a
sheltered pocket, approached by a spiral stairway, are the famous
frescoes. The summit of the rock, with an area of nearly one hectare
was the site of the palace, the outer wall of which was built on the
very brink of the precipice. The UNESCO - sponsored Central Cultural
Fund has restored Sigiriya's 5th century Water Gardens to their
former glory. |
|
Dabulla |
District:
Matale |
Weather:
Warm & Sunny |
Dist.
from Co: 148 km | |
 |
Like Sigiriya, Dambulla is a vast isolated rock mass and it
was here that King Valagam Bahu took refuge in the 1st century B.C.
He later turned the caves into a rock temple. Some of the frescoes
are over 2,000 years old and there is a colossal figure of the
recumbent Buddha carved out of the living rock, some 14 metre
long |
|
Yapahuwa |
District: |
Typical Weather:
Warm & Sunny |
Dist. from
Colombo: 145 km | |
 |
An ancient fortress and capital built in the year 1301,
approximately 145 km. from Colombo, Yapahuwa is a rock rising to a
height of 90 metres. Many traces of the ancient battle defences can
still be seen, while an ornamental stairway remains its biggest
showpiece. |
|
Matale |
District:
Matale |
Typical
Weather: Cool |
Dist.
from Colombo: 142 km | |
 |
Matale is [142 Km] From Colombo and [26 Km] from
Kandy on the way to the ancient city Dambulla. Aluvihara, is an
ancient rock temple of great significance in the history of
Buddhism. Buddhist scriptures were first committed to writing on
palm leaf manuscripts in the 2nd century B.C. Icons and frescoes
depicting the stories of the Buddha's previous births are found on
the walls of the rock caves of the temple. |
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