Kitulgala

                           

                  Kitulgala is lovely little town on the banks of Kelani River, particularly famous for White Water Rafting. The town derives its name from strangely prehistoric-looking kitul tree, which abounds the region in vast numbers. Many of the resorts here have colonial aire and originally built for visiting colonial masters. Kitulgala is a nice place for those people who want to take a break in the lap of the mountains.

Adventure Sports

                     

           

            Adventure lovers often visit Kitulgala to enjoy the game of whitewater rafting which is arguably the best in Sri Lanka. Several movies have also been shot in the place, most famous of which is David Lean's award winning classic ‘Bridge on the River Kwai.' Movie lovers can visit the place to enjoy the original location where the movie was shot. Kitulgala sits prettily among the low waving hills carpeted by lush vegetation.

White Water Rafting 

                   

          Organisers of Whit Water Rafting segregate the Kelani east of Kitulgala into three sections. Most of the adventure seekers take the scenic middle section, which consists of 10 level two, and level three rapids, which are seperated by tranquil water. The upper section is most challenging. Between rapids number of calm stretches is few. Only experienced groups take this section. On the contrary, the lower section is calm enough for the uninitiated to introduce themselves to white water rafting.

Bridge on River Kwai 

                           The movie ‘Bridge on River Kwai’ was shot in Kitulgala in its entirity. Impressed by attributes of Kitulgala film director David Lean picked up Kutulgala as the location for bridge construction and destruction scenes. One can stroll down to the place where the movie was shot.

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          Dambulla

  places to visit- dambulla 

Dambulla Cave Complex  

                 Dambulla cave complex is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka which has highlighted Dambulla on the world tourist map. Besides the unbelievable craftsmanship, the temple has so much serenity, calmness and peace. The rock of Dambulla cave complex towers 160m over the surrounding plains and holds more than 80 documented caves. Major tourist attractions are spread over 5 caves, containing paintings and statues related to Lord Buddha and his life. Dambulla cave complex has 153 statues of Buddha, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings and 4 statues of deities. A must visit for travellers is the largest cave in Dambulla cave complex that is about 52m from east to west, 23m from its entrance to back and 7m tall at the highest point.

First Cave – Dambulla

                                 

         The first cave of Dambulla cave complex named ‘Devaraja Viharaya’ or ‘Cave of the Divine King’ houses a 14 m long Buddha statue depicting the final extinction. First cave was carved out of solid rock.

Second Cave – Dambulla 

       

                      Second and the largest cave of Dambulla cave complex, called Maharaja Lena or ‘Cave of the Great Kings’, houses largest statues of King Vattagamani and King Nissanka Mala. Among dozens of sitting, standing and lying Buddha’s and Bodhisattvas there are also some Hindu gods, of whom Vishnu can always be identified by his blue color.

These are the finest Buddhist murals in Sri Lanka. Walls of the rock are painted with the glorious historical events of Sri Lanka. The statue of the Buddha hewn out of the rock on the left side of the room is flanked by wooden figures of the Bodhisattvas, Maitreya to the left & Avalokiteshvara or Natha to the right. 

                                                                                                                       

Third Cave – Dambulla

                                                       Third cave of Dambulla Cave complex, Maha Alut Vihara or ‘Great New Monastery’ houses 50 statues of Buddha along with a statue of a king. Paintings on ceiling & walls of the cave are in Kandyan style which were made during the rule of King Kirti Sri Rajasinha (1747-1782), the famous Buddhist revivalist.

Fourth and Fifth Caves – Dambulla

                                

                            The fourth & fifth caves of Dambulla cave complex are smaller than the other caves. The fourth cave, dating from the first century BC, is the most beautiful.

Iron Wood Forest – Dambulla

                                                       The Iron Wood Forest in Dambulla was said to be a sanctuary for humans, supposed to be created by the 10th Century AD ruler, King Dappula. Also known as the Jathika Namal Uyana, the Ironwood Forest offers a fascinating trek through a deep jungle comprising of the Sri Lankan national tree, the Naa. The forest is of significant ecological importance and is the focus of studies by ecologists and students of nature.

                             Rose Quartz Mountain 

                                   

          The Rose Quartz Mountain is a mountain range, believed to be approximately 500 million years old. White rose and violet color quartz deposits can be seen here. A trek by travelers to this highest Mountain Range in South Asia offers the satisfaction of a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside for miles around. Although the mountain is made of rose quartz it is not easy to recognize it as such. 

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                Sigiriya

         

                                              Built by an obsessed monarch in the 5th century, Sigiriya or Lion Rock is an astonishing feat of engineering and construction. The most striking portion of Sigiriya, a terracotta and grey core of rock set in the cultural heart of Sri Lanka, rises a sheer 200 metres above a forested plain, its flattened summit sloping gently. A series of moats, ramparts and water gardens — remnants of an ancient city — spread out on two sides of the rock, with the remains of a pair of giant stone lion’s paws still guarding the staircase that leads to the summit, once occupied by a royal palace. 

Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982, Sigiriya is Asia’s best preserved city of the first millennium, showing complex urban planning around the base of the rock, combined with sophisticated engineering and irrigation skills in the palace perched on the summit. It is considered it to be one of the oldest tourist attractions in the world with visitors recording their impressions in some of the earliest-known graffiti.

For just two decades in the 5th century AD, Sigiriya rose to prominence following a power struggle between two brothers, and an act of patricide that saw the then king walled-up alive by his son, Kasyapa. Fearful that his defeated brother would return from exile to extract vengeance, Kasyapa shifted the capital to Sigiriya and in 477 AD, he ordered the construction of the magnificent city around the base of the rock, and decreed that his palace should stand on top, a fortress that would keep him safe from retribution. Just seven years later, his astonishing palace in the sky was ready, complete with terraces and a complex system of irrigation. 

Kasyapa clearly had an eye for beauty. The pleasure gardens include a series of symmetric pools, channels and fountains that still spurt water after 1,500 years. Partway up the rock are the famous Sigiriya frescoes, featuring 21 bare-breasted damsels that may represent celestial nymphs, but were surely modeled on Kasyapa's own consorts. Halfway you'll encounter a pair of giant lion's paws, part of the original entrance, which required visitors to pass through the open mouth of a lion. The summit yields a dramatic vista of the surrounding jungle and contains the foundations of the palace complex, replete with bathing pools.

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                     Scenic Beauty  

              Sri Lanka is filled with romantic landscapes, governed by rising mountains, lush forests, ocean like tanks and gushing waterfalls, that it was considered the lost paradise by many a globe trotters, who fell upon the country. The golden beaches of the country had been praised for their picture postcard views since eternity. The dusk and dawn and many human activities connected to these times of the day creates a vibrant picture along the coasts of Sri Lanka.

The central highlands of the island are filled with pictures of stirring mountains carpeted with lush green tea gardens, roaring waterfalls mingling with the clouds and landscapes shimmering in sunlight and disappearing under the rising mist. Travelling towards the top of the country to the North Central Valley of the Kings, mountains covered with lush tropical forests disappears under the glare of the sun giving way to acres of light green carpets of paddy dotted with towering ancient white stupas and fed with oceans like reservoirs locally known as wewa.  Giant statues of Lord Buddha rises above the forest line while ancient palaces stand abandoned to the forest, waiting for a master, who long departed from life.

Travelling further north the landscape changes drastically, North of Sri Lanka is a world apart from the rest of country. Colorful Hindu temples replace the white pagodas while sari clad damsels roam the streets on bicycles.

On the western coasts of the country is Colombo, a capital city of the island, which displays a rich colonial heritage. A potpourri of races, religions and cultures, Colombo parades the best and worst the country has to offer.

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         Tourism In Sri Lanka



                                                  
    In the twelfth century, the explorer macro polo wrote that Sri Lanka was the finest island in the whole world. For centuries it had been a tourism destination, particularly for European travelers. Recently, the Sri Lankan Civil War that spanned over 25 years and ended in 2009 has had a negative impact on tourism and the growth of the industry stagnated, however following this era a resurgence in Sri Lanka as a tourist destination has been evident. In 2012, post office worldwide holiday costs barometer named Sri Lanka as the best valued destination for holidays. Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka exceeded 1.5million in 2014

1. Sri Lanka 

   Country in Asia
2. Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), a tiny island nation south of India in the Indian Ocean, is a rugged land of rainforest, diverse wildlife and endless beaches. It’s famed for its ancient Buddhist ruins, including the 5th-century citadel Sigiriya, with its palace and frescoes, and the sacred city of Anuradhapura. Its flavorful cuisine reflects its history as a maritime hub and cultural melting pot.
4. Capitals: Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte- colombo
5. Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
6. Precident: Maithripala Sirisena
7. Prime Minister: Ranil Wikramasinghe
8. Official Languages: Sinhala, Tamil
9. 
   

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