The Magnificent Seven
Anuradhapura
4 hours from Colombo
2 hours from Dambulla
2 hours from Dambulla
By the middle of the 3rd century BC the fame of the island’s first capital had spread to the distant lands of the Mediterranean. The ancient city was said to be a model of planning featuring hostels, hospitals and unmatched irrigation systems. In 247 BC Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka where it made a home and has been accepted as the majority religion since. Anuradhapura was to continue to be the national capital for over 1300 years, up to 10th century AD when repeated invasion by Indians and a struggle for royal succession resulted in the capital being withdrawn to Polonnaruwa. Today the monuments of the city’s heyday survive for you to visit, surrounded by tress and ancient parkland.
One of the best known attractions is the 2,000 year old Bo Tree, which started off as a sampling from the tree under which the Lord Buddha himself attained enlightenment.
A visit to the near by Mihintale, an important temple for Buddhist is also worth a visit.
Auvkana is close by, where a tall statue of the Lord Buddha is carved from a rock. A replica of which can be seen in Colombo opposite the convention centre – BMICH.
Polonnaruwa
5 hours from Colombo
2 hours from Dambulla
2 hours from Dambulla
The second capital after Anuradhapura, the city was fortified by three concentric walls. Within lay parks and gardens of rare beauty as well as shrines and other sacred places.
A visit there demands a viewing of:
The King’s Council chamber
The rock cut Lotus Bath
The Statue of Parakrama Bahu (one of the former kings)
Rock-cut sculptures of Gal Vihare (Temple)
The King’s Council chamber
The rock cut Lotus Bath
The Statue of Parakrama Bahu (one of the former kings)
Rock-cut sculptures of Gal Vihare (Temple)
Polonnaruwa also boasts one of the most modern and well displayed museums in South Asia. Polonaruwa is a must stop on any itinerary.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
3 ½ hours from Colombo
30 minutes from Dambulla
30 minutes from Dambulla
This outstanding sight was a royal citadel for more than 18 years for a 5th century king who wanted to create an impenetrable fortress. The famous heavenly maiden fresoces can be seen after ascending a spiral staircase on the journey to the top of the rock. The UNESCO – sponsored Central Cultural Fund has restored Sigiriya’s Water Gardens to its former glory which can be viewed upon reaching the summit; the site of the ancient palace.
Dambulla Cave Temple
3 hours from Colombo
Dambulla, the geographical centre of the island, is a vast isoloated rock, which houses a rock temple inside 5 caves. Inside are beautiful fresoces dating back some 2,000 years as well as a statue of a recumbent Budhha statue carved out of rock measuring and impressive 14 metres.
Kandy - Temple of the Tooth Relic
Kandy - Temple of the Tooth Relic
3 hours from Colombo
2 hours from Dambulla
Kandy was the last royal capital before the British fully occupied the country and is referred to as the Royal City in the Hill Country. Dalada Maligawa (temple of the tooth), is a national treasure that is located in Kandy. It is a temple where a Sacred Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha is kept. Every year the Tooth Relic is paraded around Kandy in Sri Lanka’s most popular festival, the Esala Perahera. The pageant is truly awesome, as Kandyan dancers, drummers and elephants adorned with jewels and masks parade the streets, to a huge audience of Sri Lankan and travellers who have been lucky enough to be in the country at the right time. The festival dates change each year according to the position of the moon, but is generally during the first ten days in August. The dates are out from January and then confirmed in May. Visit www.srilankatourism.org.uk
2 hours from Dambulla
Kandy was the last royal capital before the British fully occupied the country and is referred to as the Royal City in the Hill Country. Dalada Maligawa (temple of the tooth), is a national treasure that is located in Kandy. It is a temple where a Sacred Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha is kept. Every year the Tooth Relic is paraded around Kandy in Sri Lanka’s most popular festival, the Esala Perahera. The pageant is truly awesome, as Kandyan dancers, drummers and elephants adorned with jewels and masks parade the streets, to a huge audience of Sri Lankan and travellers who have been lucky enough to be in the country at the right time. The festival dates change each year according to the position of the moon, but is generally during the first ten days in August. The dates are out from January and then confirmed in May. Visit www.srilankatourism.org.uk
Galle Fort
3 hours from Colombo
Built by the Dutch this 90 acre walled city has protected the old Ceylon charm of the area like no other area of Sri Lanka for over four centuries. This attraction also has the particular distinction of being one of the few living World Heritage Sites. Join many Sri Lankan in the evening to watch the sun set across the Indian Ocean.
Galle Fort is fast becoming a popular place to buy a house, and many of these houses have been converted into chic boutique hotels. James Fennel’s book “Living in Sri Lanka” (Thames & Hudson Publishing) will give you a feel for some of these houses.
The Galle Cricket stadium is just in front of the Fort and many Sri Lankans sit on the Forts ramparts to watch the match.
Sinharaja Rain Forest
3 hours from Colombo
1 ½ hours from Kalutara
1 ½ hours from Kalutara
The seventh jewel in Sri Lanka’s heritage crown owes nothing to man and everything to nature. A bio-diversity hotspot, with its own unique eco-system consisting of protected birds, flora and fauna. A sight that has to be viewed on the ground since the written word cannot do it justice. Sinharaja is has many endemic birds, dragon flies, mushrooms and frogs.
