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| Attractive Forts of Sri Lanka |
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| Dalada Maligawa |
Kandy's main attraction is the Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th c. A.D., the sacred relic has ever since been the symbol of sovereignty for its rulers and always enshrined in great splendour. Kandy's Dalada Maligawa is a magnificent shrine, with decorative walls, moat, turrets, golden roof and fine wood |
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| -work and its 16th – 19th century ambience vividly alive. Three religious services (pooja) with traditional music, held daily at dawn, mid-day and in the evening, can be viewed by visitors. |
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Kelaniya Temple |
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This temple, consecrated during the third and final visit of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka, eight years after gaining enlightenment, is situated 7 miles from Colombo in Gampaha District on the banks of the Kelaniya River.The temple is also famous for its image of the reclining Buddha and paintings which depict important events in the life of the Buddha, in the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, also incidents from the Jataka tales. |
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| Dambulla Viharaya |
Located north of Kandy and considered by most to be the center point of SriLanka, Dambulla is a town built around a vast isolated rock mass 500 ft and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.It was here that King Valagambahu took refuge in the 1st century B.C. The view from the top of this rock is breathtaking 350 ft. above are a series of five caves which was later turned into a magnificent rock temple by King Valagambahu. |
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| Sigiriya Rock |
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One of SriLanka's major attractions and a World Heritage Site, Sigiriya(Lion Rock) came into prominence in the 5th centaury AD, when the patricidal King Kasyapa, afraid of reprisals led by his half - brother, Mogolan, chose to move the seat of power from Anuradhapura to this 500m rock. It was Kasyapa and his master-builders who were responsible for the complex plan which made Sigiriya the |
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| glorious capital. The frescoes of the ' heavenly maidens ' halfway up the rock in a sheltered gallery, are the only painted renderings of a secular subject in this country.The " mirror wall", which records the poetic outpourings of early visitors to the rock and the colossal plan of the royal palace, water gardens and fortifications, is entirely fascinating. |
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| Mahiyangana Maha Seya |
This Cetiya (stupa) was built during the lifetime of Lord Buddha enshrining the lock of hair given by Him to God Saman on the occasion of His first visit to Sri Lanka, nine months after attaining enlightenment. It is the first ever stupa to be constructed in Sri Lanka.It was enlarged by Arhat Sarabhu to a Cetiya 12 cubits high after receiving and enshrining the collar bone relic of the Buddha taken from the funeral pyre. |
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| Ruwanveli Seya |
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Situated in Mahamega Gardens. Built in the second century B.C by King Dutugamunu. It is 100 metres tall, 77 metres wide, 300 ft in diameter.
Originally the shupa was designed in a " Bubble " shape . Sadly different restorations of the Thupa have changed its shape. The Great Sthupa cost the King 6.4 million coins in wages. The construction was commenced on a full moon |
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| day in May 144 B.C. The foundation was made of butter-clay, imported from India, which was used as cement. Further four small Stupas are to be seen in the 0four corners in order to give more respect. Entering the shupa , you come across a sand court yard from which rises the Elephant wall. |
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| Tirukoneswaram Kovil |
At the northeastern most tip of the Fort Frederick's promontory is a cliff known as Swami Rock, dropping about 360 feet directly into the sea. On its topmost pinnacle is the Tirukonesvaram Kovil , destroyed by the Portuguese though the Kovil was restored and completed in 1963.Three ancient bronze images and a Shiva lingam, later found by divers at the bottom of the cliff beneath the temple , were installed for worship. Puja services are especially colorful at twilight on Fridays. |
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