Isurumuniya Vihara
Isurumuni Vihara is located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It’s the altitude of 81 meters. Climate’s highest rainfall is expected in October, November and December months. In April and May of the evening, thundershowers would have expected. Other months especially fair (sunny and dry weather). The average temperature is about 32 ° C.
This vihara was situated near the Tisa Wewa (lake), Isurumuniya is a Buddhist rock temple built by King Devanapiyatissa (307 BC-267 BC) to house 500 newly ordained monks. The temple was later renovated by King Kashyapa (473-491 AD). Isurumuniya known for fine carving is known as Lovers, Elephant Pond, and the Royal Family.
Carved on a granite plaque, statue ‘Lovers’ that of India Gupta dynasty 4th and 5th-century style depicts a woman sitting on the lap of the man, lifting a warning finger might as manifestation of her coyness; but man cries on regardless.
‘The Royal Family’ also engraved on granite plaques and there are five human figures. The one who is in the center with a tall crown on his head is believed to be King Dutugemunu.
The elephant pond consists of elephant figures carved on the rock around the pond that watered by Tisa Wewa. The elephants seem to be bathing playfully.
Entrance Tickets:
Adult Rs.250/=
Child Rs.125/=
Opening & Closing Time: 7.00 Am to 7.00 Pm (Tickets will not be issued after 6.00 PM)
Distance & Driving Hours
From Nearest Town Anuradhapura: 4.5 Kilometers Approximately 10 Minutes Drive
From Kandy: 138 kilometers Approximately 3 & Half Hours Drive
From Colombo: 200 Kilometers Approximately 5 Hours Drive
Mihintale
Mihintale is located in the Cultural Triangle of the north-central province of Sri Lanka. Mihintale is close to the Anuradhapura – Trincomalee Road is situated the “Missaka Pabbata” which is 300 m in height and is one of the peaks of a mountainous range. The whole sacred area of Mihintale covers about 182 hectares.
This city has a tropical climate. In Mihintale, the average annual temperature is 27.0 °C. About 1427 mm of precipitation falls annually.
It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa (307-267 BC) which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage site and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures.
According to Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa, Thera Mahinda came to Sri Lanka from India on the full moon day of the month of Poson (June) and met King Devanampiyatissa and the people, and preached the doctrine. The traditional spot where this meeting took place is revered by the Buddhists of Sri Lanka. Therefore, in the month of Poson, Buddhists make their pilgrimage to Anuradhapura and Mihintale.
In Sinhala Mihin-Thale literally means the “plateau of Mihindu”. This plateau is the flat terrain on top of a hill from where Arahat Mihindu was supposed to have called King Devanampiyatissa, by the King’s first name to stop him shooting a deer in flight. Hence, “Mihin Thalé” is a specifically Sinhala term. This is how the place has been called and still is, in the local vernacular “Sinhala”. A study of the local vernacular will give ample proof for this.
From ancient times a large number of large steps were constructed to climb Mihintale. It is stated that King Devanampiyatissa constructed a vihara and 68 caves for the bhikkhus to reside in. At Mihintale there gradually grew a number of Buddhist viharas with all the dependent buildings characteristic of monasteries of that period. The Sinhalese architecture, paintings, and sculptures were a result of Buddhism which nourished these throughout the centuries that followed. Mihintale architectural feats are mainly visible in Kanthaka chetiya Vahalkada, Alms Hall, Ancient Stairway, Kalu Diya pokuna, at ancient Hospital and Sinha pokuna (Lion Pond).
Entrance Tickets:
Adult Rs.500/=
Child Rs.250/=
Opening & Closing Time: 6.00 Am to 6.00 Pm (Tickets will not be issued after 5.00 PM)
Distance & Driving Hours
From Nearest Town Anuradhapura: 18 kilometers Approximately 30 Mnts Drive
From Kandy: 133 kilometers Approximately 3 Hours & 30 Mnts Drive.
From Colombo: 216 Kilometers Approximately 5 Hours Drive
The Aluvihare Rock Temple
Matale Alu Viharaya is a sacred Buddhist temple located in Matale District, Central province of Sri Lanka. It is an altitude of 300m.
Matale is a city with a significant rainfall. Even in the driest month, there is a lot of rain. In Matale, the average annual temperature is 25.3 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1860 mm.
The history of Aluvihare Rock Temple is traced back to the 3rd Century B.C to the reign of King Devanampiyatissa (307 BC-267 BC). It is believed that the King built the dagoba, planted the Bo sapling and founded the temple after the introduction of Buddhism to the country during his reign.
This is the place where Buddhist monks during King Walagamba’s rule wrote the Tripitakas in Pali on Ola leaves. The heroic reign of King Walagamba (104-77 B.C.) would go into the records of history as the Tripitaka (Buddhist scriptures) were written down on Ola leaves in Pali by a conclave of Buddhist monks of the Aluvihare Temple, lying close to Matale. These Tripitakas originally had come down by mere word of mouth by being committed to memory by Buddhist monks of the time. Such Tripitakas are classified into three divisions. They are Vinaya Pitakaya (Basket of Discipline), Sutta Pitakaya (Basket of Discourse) and Abidharma Pitakaya (Basket of Metaphysics).
The first cave is about 25 feet long and 10 feet high and it was one of the venues where some of these old Thripitaka were written on Ola leaves in Pali by Buddhist monks. On its apex is written in bold Sinhala letters that the Tripitaka was written during the rule of king Walagamba.
Entrance Tickets:
Adult Rs.250/=
Child Rs.125/=
Opening & Closing Time: 7.00 Am to 6.00 Pm (Tickets will not be issued after 5.00 PM)
Distance & Driving Hours
From Nearest Town Matale: 4 kilometers Approximately 15 Mnts Drive
From Kandy: 30 kilometers Approximately 1 Hours & 15 Mnts Drive.
From Colombo: 156 Kilometers Approximately 4 Hours Drive
Gangaramaya
Gangaramaya is situated near Beira Lake, in the heart of Colombo, Western Province Sri Lanka. The 120-year-old, Gangaramaya started by the famous scholar-monk Hikkaduwa Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera in the late 19th Century. After the Venerable Sri Sumangala, his chief pupil Devundera Sri Jinaratana Nayake Thera took on the administration of the temple. It was he who laid the foundation to convert the little temple to an institute of international reckoning.
The temple’s architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture. It has the main features of a Vihara (temple), the Cetiya (Pagoda) the Bodhi tree, the Vihara Mandiraya, the Seema Malaka (assembly hall for monks) and the Relic Chamber. In addition, a museum, a library, a residential hall, a three-storeyed Pirivena, educational halls, and an alms hall are also on the premises.
Most notable for tourists is the architecture of the Simamalaka Shrine, which was built with donations from a Muslim sponsor to the design of Geoffrey Bawa.
Entrance Tickets:
Adult Rs.200/=
Child Rs.100/=
Opening & Closing Time: 8.00 Am to 8.00 Pm (Tickets will not be issued after 7.00 PM)
Distance & Driving Hours
From Nearest Town Colombo: 2 kilometers Approximately 10 Mnts Drive
From Kandy: 116 kilometers Approximately 4 Hours Drive.
Adam’s Peak
The mountain is located in the southern reaches of the Central Highlands in the Ratnapura District and Nuwara Eliya district of the Sabaragamuwa Province and Central Province. Adams’s Peak is a 2,243 m tall conical mountain located in central Sri Lanka. It is well known for the Sri Pada, “sacred footprint”, a 1.8 m rock formation near the summit, which in Buddhist tradition is held to be the footprint of the Buddha, in Hindu tradition that of Hanuman or Shiva and in some Islamic and Christian tradition that of Adam, or that of St. Thomas.
The climate of Adam’s Peak, during the months of January, February, March, April, and May you are most likely to experience good weather with average temperatures pleasant fall between 20 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius. January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and December have a high chance of rainfall. On average, the warmest month is April. On average, the coolest month is February.
Another Sinhala name for the mountain is Samanalakanda, which refers either to the deity Saman, who is said to live upon the mountain or to the butterflies (samanalayā) that frequent the mountain during their annual migrations to the region. The name Sri Paada, however, is the more commonly used. The pilgrim’s season to Sri Pada traditionally starts on the full moon of December and ends on the full moon of April. During the first half of the season, the night ascent isn’t crowded. However, during the latter half of the season, more people attempt the climb with each passing day.
The surrounding region is largely forested hills, with no mountain of comparable size nearby. The region along the mountain is a wildlife reserve, housing many species varying from leopards, and including many endemic species.
Adam’s Peak is important as a watershed. The districts to the south and the east of Adam’s Peak yield precious stones-emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, for which the island has been famous, and which earned for its ancient name of Ratnadvipa.
Access to the mountain is possible by 6 trails: Ratnapura-Palabaddala, Hatton-Nallathanni, Kuruwita-Erathna, Murraywatte, Mookuwatte, and Malimboda. The Nallathanni & Palabaddala routes are most favored by those undertaking the climb, while the Kuruwita-Erathna trail is used less often; these trails are linked to major cities or towns by bus, accounting for their popular use.
Entrance Tickets:
Free of Charge
Distance & Driving Hours
From Nearest Town Hatton: 32 kilometers Approximately 1 Hour & 15 Mnts Drive
From Kandy: 96 kilometers Approximately 3 Hours Drive.
From Colombo: 182 Kilometers Approximately 5 Hours Drive
From Nearest Town Kuruvita: 17 Kilometers Approximately 45 Mnts Drive
From Kandy: 113 kilometers Approximately 3 Hours & 30 Mnts Drive.
From Colombo: 104 Kilometers Approximately 3 Hours & 15 Mnts Drive
Seetha Amman Temple
Seetha Amman Temple is located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The temple is in the village of Seetha Eliya. The Sitha Amman Temple dedicated to Sita, the wife of Lord Rama.
Due to its highland location, Nuwara Eliya has a subtropical highland climate having no pronounced dry season, a monsoon-like cloudy season and a mean annual temperature of 16 °C.
Sri Seethai Amman temple is a unique temple it has been made at the place where Seeta Mata spent her days in the prison of Ravana approx 5000 years ago. It is also unique in a way that it is one of the very few temples dedicated to Seeta.
Devotees also believe that the place bears signs of the god Hanuman’s feet as he rested here after the battle to rescue Sita from Ravana. People also believe that there is a rock on the opposite bank of the river where Sita sat and meditated. The stream that runs from the hill had supposedly catered to the needs of Sita during her stay and she is said to have bathed in this stream.
About a century ago images of three idols were discovered in the stream, one of which was that of Sita. It is believed that the idols have been worshipped at this spot for centuries. Visitors eagerly throng to this place where Sita had supposedly bathed, the stone she sat on, and where she spent time in prayer. Devotees are convinced that this episode of the epic Ramayana historically took place here.
Entrance Tickets:
Free of charge
Opening & Closing Time: 8.00 Am to 6.30 Pm
Distance & Driving Hours
From Nearest Town Nuwara Eliya: 4 kilometers Approximately 10 Mnts Drive
From Kandy: 80 kilometers Approximately 2 Hours & 40 Mnts Drive.
From Colombo: 170 Kilometers Approximately 5 Hours & 20 Mnts Drive
Muthumariamman Kovil
Muthumariamman Kovil is a Hindu temple in Matale, Central Province Sri Lanka.
The climate in Matale, the average annual temperature is 25.3 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1860 mm.
The temple is dedicated to Mariamman, the goddess of rain and fertility. The land was originally part of a paddy field and was gifted by the owner in 1852. The current temple was built in 1874, funded by the Nattukkottai Chettiar. This temple is used by both Hindus and Buddhists. The temple was originally a small statue under a tree prayed to by the Hindu people but has been developed by the people in Matale.
One of the most visually dominant features of this temple is its 32.9 m high Gopuram (‘Raja Koburum’), a large decorated tower located above the main northern gateway (‘Vadakku Vaayil’) to the temple. The Raja Koburum is one of the largest Gopurams in Sri Lanka. The 1008 statues of Hindu deities are the work of South Indian sculptor, Nagalingam and his son Ramanathan, with the help of about 100 designers, painters, and architects from Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
Entrance Tickets:
Adult 150/=
Child 75/=
Opening & Closing Time: 9.00 Am to 5.00 Pm (Tickets will not be issued after 5.00 PM)
Distance & Driving Hours
From Nearest Town Matale: 2.5 kilometers Approximately 10 Mnts Drive
From Kandy: 29 kilometers Approximately 1 Hours & 10 Mnts Drive.
From Colombo: 157 Kilometers Approximately 4 Hours Drive
Koneswaram Hindu temple
Koneswaram Hindu temple is a classical-medieval Hindu temple complex in Trincomalee, a Hindu religious pilgrimage center in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka.
Trincomalee features a tropical wet and dry climate. The city features a dry season from March through June and a wet season for the remainder of the year. The city sees on average roughly 1,570 millimeters of precipitation annually. Average temperatures in Trincomalee range from around 26 °C in December and January to approximately 30 °C during the warmest months of the year from April through September. Extreme temperatures in the city range from 18.2 °C to 39.8 °C.
The most sacred of the Pancha Ishwarams of Sri Lanka, it was built significantly during the reign of the early Cholas and the Five Dravidians of the Early Pandyan Kingdom atop Konesar Malai, a promontory overlooking Trincomalee District, Gokarna bay and the Indian Ocean. Its Pallava, Chola, Pandyan and Jaffna design reflect a continual Tamil Saivite influence in the Vannimai region from the classical period. The monument contains its main shrine to Shiva in the form Kona-Eiswara, shortened to Konesar and is a major place for Hindu pilgrimage, at its height of fame labeled the “Rome of the Gentiles/Pagans of the Orient”. Connected at the mouth of the Mahavilli Ganga River to the footprint of Shiva at Sivan Oli Padam Malai at the river’s source, the temple symbolically crowns the flow of the Ganges River from Shiva’s head of Mount Kailash to his feet.
A 17th century stone inscription in the temple states that the temple began its history in 1580 BC. Though this is unconfirmed, the truth remains that the ancient cave shrine that lies beneath the pinnacle of the mountain points towards a history well predating the Sangam Period. It is also a confirmed fact that Koneswaram was a well-established and popular temple during the arrival of the exiled Indian prince Vijayan during the 6th century BC.
On the other hand, legend states that King Ravana, along with his mother, was a devout worshipper of Koneswaram. Ravana is also supposed to have created the hot springs of Kanniya as part of Thirukoneswaram, for the last rites of his mother. King Ravana was a legendary emperor of Sri Lanka who is believed to have lived over 5000 years ago. If this legend were to be true, then that would indicate that the temple was alive and thriving for over 5000 years.
Developed from 205 BC, the original kovil combined key features to form its basic Dravidian temple plan, such as its thousand pillared hall – “Aayiram Kaal Mandapam” – and the Jagati expanded by King Elara Manu Needhi Cholan.
Entrance Tickets:
Free of Charge
Opening & Closing Time: 24 Hours
Distance & Driving Hours
From Nearest Town Trincomalee: 4.5 kilometers Approximately 15 Mnts Drive
From Kandy: 185 kilometers Approximately 4 Hours & 30 Mnts Drive.
From Colombo: 271 Kilometers Approximately 6 Hours Drive