Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa
This city was next in line as the capital of the country after Anuradhapura. King Parakramabahu transformed the city into a walled magnificence at the turn of 11th century. The existing features in the city still hint towards the rich culture of the golden era of Sri Lanka. Today, you can get a glimpse of the splendour and engineering prowess of the era in the Parakrama Samudra, which was a huge reservoir built during King Parakramabahu's reign. You can also find the ruins of ornate monasteries, temples, and castles within the city.
Sri Dalada Maligawa
Sri Dalada Maligawa, or the Temple of the Tooth, in Kandy is a vital historical site if you want to experience Sri Lankan heritage up close and personal. The temple contains one of the most sacred relics in Buddhist culture: Lord Buddha's tooth. In fact, this is one of the most sacred places for devotees of Buddhist culture from all around the globe. You can also explore the intricate Royal Complex, Kandy Lake, and the Royal Summerhouse located in the area.
Wewurukannala Vihara
Progressing in the line of Buddhist culture and impressive sites paying homage to the amazing culture of Sri Lanka, you can visit the famous Wewurukannala Vihara Temple. This temple is situated in the town of Dikwella and holds a statue of Seated Buddha. This statue is 160 ft high and can be traced back to 1782-1798; it was constructed during the reign of King Rajadhi.
A part of the temple is dedicated to elaborate murals and graphic paintings, which depict the destiny laid out for those who do not find the Buddhist path of enlightenment. These have an impressive array of artworks including life-sized models of demons and sinners.
Ganagarama Viharaya
Situated smack in the middle of Colombo, the Ganagarama Vihara is a stunning beauty with intricate brass work and stone carvings depicting Buddhist culture. You can find a residential hall and a museum that can further take you through the chapters of Sri Lankan heritage and the country's rich cultural base.
Each of the incredible above-mentioned culture spots are in or can be easily reached from the bustling city of Colombo. You need a Srilankan Visa to enter the country, but a travel itinerary covering all these top spots can be arranged on quite an affordable budget.
About the Author:
Flora Cox is a passionate traveler and blogger who shares her thoughts one various topics she comes across. As a solo traveler, she shares her stories on many blogs and is presently working for Srilankan Visa which is a visa service provider.
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Tags: Sri Lanka, travel, Buddhism, architecture, religion, history