November 1, 2016

Anuradhapura




Anuradhapura was first settled by Anuradha, a follower of Prince Vijaya the founder of the Sinhala race. Later, it was made the Capital by King Pandukabhaya at about 380 B.C.According to the Mahavamsa, the epic of Sinhala History, King Pandukabhaya’s city was a model of planning. Precincts were set aside for huntsmen, for scavengers and for heretics as well as for foreigners. There were hostels and hospitals, at least one Jain chapel, and cemeteries for high and low castes. A water supply was assured by the construction of tanks, artificial reservoirs, of which the one named after the king itself exists to this day under the altered name of Baswakkulam.
It was during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa (250 – 210 B.C.) that the Arahat Mahinda, son of the great Buddhist Emperor Asoka, led a group of missionaries from North India to Sri Lanka. With his followers he settled in a hermitage of caves on the hill of Mihintale – the name which derives from Mahinda’s own.The new religion swept over the land in a wave. The King himself donated land for a great monastery in the very heart of the city which was also his own Royal Park – the beautiful Mahamegha Gardens.The Buddhist principality had had but a century to flourish when it was temporarily overthrown by an invader from the Chola Kingdom of South India. The religion, however, received no set-back.
At this time far away on the southeast coast, was growing up the prince who was to become the paladin of Sinhala nationalism: Dutugamunu (161 – 137 B.C)
For his entire martial prowess, King Dushta Gamini must have been a man of singular sensibility. He built the MIRISAVETI DAGOBA and the mighty Brazen Palace, which was nine stories high and presented to the Mahasanga (order of monks). But, the RUWANVELI DAGOBA, his most magnificent creation, he did not live to see its completion.
Two more, at least, of the Anuradhapura Kings must be mentioned – if only because some of the greater monuments are indisputably attributable to them.
The earlier of these was Vattagamani Abhaya (Valagamba) (103 & 89-77 B.C.) in the first year of whose reign Chola invaders again appeared and drove him temporarily into hiding. For fourteen years, while five Tamil Kings occupied his throne, he wandered often sheltering in jungle caves. It is recorded that as in his plight as he passed an ancient Jain hermitage, an ascetic, Gin called and taunted him. “The great black lion is fleeing!” Throughout his exile the gibe rankled. Winning the Kingdom back at last, he razed Giri’s hermitage to the ground, and built the ABHAYAGIRI Monastery. The name is a wry cant on his own name and the tactless hermit’s as well as (meaning mountain of fearlessness) a disclaimer of his cowardice!
Next came the heretic king Mahasena (274 – 301 A.D) who built Sri Lanka’s largest Dagoba JETAWANARAMA (World Heritage Site), a much complicated irrigation system and 16 vast reservoirs (tank) like MINNERIYA, even today which irrigate thousands of acres of paddy land.
Anuradhapura was to continue for six hundred years longer as the national capital. But as the protecting wilderness round it diminished with prosperity and internecine struggles for the royal succession grew, it became more and more vulnerable to the pressures of South Indian expansion; and the city was finally abandoned and the Capital withdrawn to more secluded fastnesses.
But the monuments of its heyday survive, surrounded by such beauties as they become the past: the solemn umbrage of trees, the silence of cold stone, and the serenity of the sheltering sky.


July 15, 2016

Road To Sri Lanka Tours



Road to Sri Lanka tours started as a very small company on 4 years ago. We have put lots of effort to build this. We both started our career as a hoteliers. Mr.Charith founder director of the company started his career as a barman and end up with the food and beverage manager. And also Mrs. Priyanthi the Directors inbound operations of the company started her carrier as Trainee Receptionist and end up with GRO. It was really helpful to build this company with experience that we had in a tourism field. In the middle of our carrier we thought to use our experience and do something which will really useful for the travelers who came across towards to Sri Lanka.
Our team members anxiously await to provide a service par excellence to each and every client.Our database of hotels, Villas, Guest Houses and apartments are located either facing the crystal clear waters, heritage cities, Country side, Tea Estates or Adventure and nature parks.
We are positioning Sri Lanka as Asia's most treasured and greenest island. With its beautiful beaches, warm and friendly people, strong nature, culture and adventure offerings. We continue to look for new ways to improve our service, while remaining committed to always moving forward to meet and exceed the evolving needs and expectations of our customers and partners.

November 14, 2015

Wild Destinations in Sri Lanka





Sri Lanka have more than 50 nature reserves and national parks. They are awarded that status for various reasons including to preserve the water flow and in this article I will mostly focus on National parks that are attractive to tourists. Visiting national parks and watching wild animals are one of the top tourist attraction in Sri Lanka and there is a whole industry built around it. The most famous national park is the Yala national park but most tourists visiting Sri Lanka want to see wild elephant which is not so easily found in Yala.Outside most of these national parks you will find jeeps ready to take on safari rides inside the jungle. If you have few days to spare you can even visit camping sites or bungalows inside the national park and spend a night watching wild animals. Below are few of the famous national parks in Sri Lanka.


August 10, 2014

Horton Plains National Park

Horton Plains National Park
The Central Highland National Park of Cloud Forest and Wet Patana Grassland plateau that bears the 2nd and 3rd Highest Peaks of Sri Lanka.

General description of Horton Plains

Horton Plains National Park is situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka of Nuwara Eliya District. It is positioned at the eastern boundaries of the Upper Montane Forest Range (1500m-2524m above sea level) of Central Highland of Sri Lanka. The plateau of Horton Plains which is at a nominal elevation of 2100 m also bears the 2nd and the 3rd highest peaks of Sri Lanka, namely Kirigalpoththa (2389m) and Totupolakanda(2357m). The area of the Horton Plains is 3160 ha. or 31.6 sq. km. and is about 8% of the total upper montane forests and grasslands of Sri Lanka. The rainwater of Horton Plains plateau is drained through tributaries to Mahaveli river to the North (through Uma Oya), Walawe river to the South (through Belihul Oya and Kiriketi Oya) and Kelani river to the West (through Bogawantalawa Oya). Horton Plains has an average rainfall figure of around 5000mm though the surrounding areas have an average of 2540mm. Horton Plains gets more rain from North West monsoon and throughout the year even the minimum rain fall per month for the area had been 100mm. The mean annual temperature for the area is about 13C . One can expect temperatures as high as 27C during day and 5C during nights. The distance to Horton Plains from Nuwara Eliya is 32 km.

July 19, 2013

Go Girls Sri Lanka Tours


I would like to give some information's about my new travel agent.
This idea came through  my mind once I was in the airport to pick up some of my guest.I sow lots of female tourist are traveling to Sri lanka. Approximately around 70% of tourist who traveling to Sri Lanka were females. So once I came back from airport I kept  searched about female travel agents around the world. I found lot , but only in Europe.Then I decided to open the first female travel agent in Sri Lanka. Finlay I did it and now  we are open for female travelers and their family's.Visit below web site and send me your feel back. It will be helpful for me to continue this in future .

http://www.gogirlssrilankatours.com/

The first Sri Lankan female travel agent catering for female travelers and their families Go Girls Sri Lanka Tours provides unique, custom-designed travel packages and travel experiences to beautiful Sri Lanka …


Enjoy one or more of our package tours or design your own … just contact us and leave the rest to our professional and experienced team …


We can provide tour packages to suit your budget, from luxury to standard class accommodation, just ask us …
Experience the history, wildlife, culture, food and people of Sri Lanka with us and enjoy first-class service and wonderful memories with Go Girls Sri Lanka Tours …

April 21, 2013

Kandy Esala Perahera

Kandy Esala Perahera


The Kandy Perahera Procession hosted by the Sri Dalanda Maligawa; the Temple of Tooth Relic, is the most valuable cultural event of the country in which almost all the traditional performances and arts are showcased. This world famous Buddhist Festival event is held annually in the world heritage city of Kandy. 
This event commences during the month of August  and continues for almost ten days with all its splendor and rich with Kandyan traditional dances, dancers with elegant costumes, decorated elephants in their prolific garments etc. 

The tourist attraction is maximum to the Kandy city during this time of the year. Tourists from all over the year targets Sri Lanka especially during this period of the year just to take a glimpse of this ancient Sri Lankan artistic pageant. The hotels are fully booked around the city and the city is over brimmed with the crowds gathered for this spectacular event. 

Most of the local spectators watch this event seated on the pavement whence the procession moves ahead on the road. Seats can also be booked via your hotel or travel agent and the seats are arranged in the buildings located in the path where the procession is headed. No fees will be charged from the spectators to see the event. However, you will have to incur a cost for a comfortable seat for your convenience.

April 17, 2013

Yala National Park - Sri Lanka


 A popular destination – especially for nature watching. It is going to be a series of posts about a national park best known for its variety of wild animals. Hurry ! we have many things to introduce and explore !Yes , It is Yala wild life , green woods and lands of the giants in the jungle.
Yala National Park , is the second largest and the most visited national park in Sri Lanka. I have to take the chance of several and a series of posts to mention the beauty and the value of this nature reserve. Well, this is going to be the introductory article of Yala.



February 18, 2013

Ras Vehera (Sesuruwa) Buddha Statue-Kurunagala,Sri Lanka

 
This is a colossal statue of Buddha lying close the famous Awkana statue, but not as popular. This statue is called Ras Vehera as well as Sasuruwa (or Sas-seruwa). The height of this statue is recorded as 39 feet 3 inches but according to the chief priest there its height is 42 feet 4 inches. The statue depicts the Abhaya Mudra (freedom from fear). Like the Awkana the robe of the Buddha is clinging to the body but the final finish doesn’t seem to have been done. 


The pedestal on which the Buddha is carved is not decorated and it is only a square block of stone. One ear is also unfinished. All this indicate that this statue was never fished for a unknown reason. According to chronicles The King Mahasen (276-303 AD) who ruled from Anuradhapura has built a statue called "Rahera" statue at the base of the "Rahera" cliff. It is thought that Ras Vehera is this statue and after his death the work on the site has also halted. This statue also lacks the "Siraspatha" at the top of the head which is seen in the Awkana statue. But it is said that there has been a wooden "siraspatha" in early days. There also has been a housing structure around the statue for protection as the rock in which the statue is carved is fairly soft. All this has been destroyed during the North Indian Tamil invasion (of Kalinga Maga).

February 11, 2013

Arankele Forest Monastery - Kurunagala



If you are looking for a haven of peace and quietude - why not spend the day at Arankele. Its green sylvan surroundings will relax and refresh you completely.
But this was never meant to be a pleasure park. On the contrary it was the site of an ancient forest monastery - the austere abode of a sect of recluse monks who had been attracted to this site because of its very isolation and seclusion. Today it is a celebrated archaeological site containing the ruins of the ancient forest monastery.
The monks who dwelt here were called Pansukulika. Pansukulika means 'rag-robes' and refers to a vow taken by these monks to wear only robes made from rags. They observed extreme austerity and they lived in caves and in monasteries in mountains and forests and their piety and austere way of life were greatly admired by the people.

November 13, 2012

VEDDHAS IN SRI LANKA


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The term Vadda must have derived form the Pali and Sanskrit word Vddha meaning hunter or huntsman.According to Wilhelm Geiger Vaddas of Sri Lanka were an aboriginal tribe perhaps related to the ancient tribes of south India. They were inhabiting the island long before the coming of Aryans an had spread all over the island and later confined only to Vadi rata or Maha Vadi rata consisting of areas from Hunnasgiriya hills and lowlands spreading through Mahiyanganaya, Alutnuwara, Vellassa, Bintenne, Digamadulla, Vasgamuwa, Dimbilagala, Manampitiya, Nilagala, Toppigala, Panama, Dambana etc. up to the sea in the east. They spoke a non Aryan language a small number of words of which survive up to the present day. With the coming of Aryans gradually they learnt a number of Aryans words and with time words of their own dialect became rare owing to the spread of education and encroachment of civilization over the areas occupied by them.

November 2, 2012

SINHARAJA RAINFOREST - SRI LANKA



    Sinharaja (vergin rain forest of Sri Lanka)

        Sinharaja forest reserve is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rain forest in Sri lanka. This forest covers an extent of about 11187 hectares from east to west .The length of the forest is about 21km and width from North to South is about 3.7km.It was declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) in 1978,as representative of tropical humid evergreen forest Eco system in Sri Lanka and has been recognized by UNESCO as part of it’s International Network of Biosphere reserves. It was declared a National wilderness area in 1988 and lately a world heritage site in 1989.It is situated in the southwest lowland wet zone of the country in the districts of Ratnapura, Galle and Matara. The average annual temperature of Sinharaja is 23.6 C. Annual rainfall is more than 2500mm.The rain fall is well distributed during two monsoons, May to July and October to December.

November 1, 2012

DAMBULLA CAVE TEMPLE - SRI LANKA



Dambulla cave temple

also known as the Golden Temple. Dambulla is a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 148 km east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area.