Visiting Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka (Kandy - Dambulla - Sigiriya - Anuradhapura - Polonnaruwa)
A history that is strewn with ancient legend, age old statues of undefined age dot the north central plains of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is synonymous with Buddhism and the north central plains are dotted with many Buddhist temples, sculptures, stupas and many ancient monasteries, some are over two thousand years old. An ancient civilization thrived, first in the ancient capital of Anuradhapura for over a thousand years then due to invasions from South India capital was moved to Polonnaruwa, under the guidance and influence of Buddhism. Many monolithic rock formations that dot the north central plains have been transformed into places of worship by the expert ancient sculptors, inspired by Buddhist way of life.
POPULAR DESTINATIONS IN CULTURAL TRIANGLE
Kandy Sri Lanka
Noted as the last Kingdom of Sri Lanka has many places to visit, Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic being the highlight. It is located in the royal palace complex which houses the sacred tooth relic of the lord Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site partly due to the temple. Degaldoruwe Viharaya: Located at the village of Amunugama, 7km from Kandy Famous for its murals on the wall separating the vestibule from the inner chamber and on the natural rock ceiling are portrayed as continuous stories.
Dambulla Sri Lanka
Dambulla Rock Cave Temple (UNESCO world heritage site) can be reached by coming from Kandy(68km) along A9 road which runs up through Dambulla and Anuradhapura, or direct from Colombo. Located at an elevation of 1118 feet from the sea level, the Dambulugala raises as a massive rock from the surrounding plains of Dambulla. It is home to the World’s most acclaimed Cave complex of magnificent Buddha Images and Rock Paintings of vivid colours and shapes constructed and painted from around the 2nd Century BC (Anuradhapura era) and continued up to the Kandyan era of the 18th Century, thus forming an unbroken line of history and painting styles of Sri Lanka through 2500 years.
Sigiriya Sri Lanka
The Sigiriya Rock Fortress (5th Century AD) of Sri Lanka is situated in Matale district near Dambulla. Recorded as a UNESCO world heritage, Sigirya can be reached along Colombo- Habarana highway and turning East from Inamaluwa , then proceeding about 10 km from Inamaluwa and passing Kimbissa, a rural settlement one arrives at Sigiriya. Sigiriya being a fortress citadel and had been well designed for its defences by having ramparts and moats built around it. There are several approaches to the inner city and the most prominent is the Western entrance. From the summit of the rock, the land areas up to distances of tens of miles can be watched making it hard for the enemy to make a surprised attack to the kingdom.
Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Another UNESCO world heritage site, according to the chronicles, during the 12th century a prince of great metal and physical vigour hailing from the Rohana (Southern part of Sri Lanka) forced his way to the throne of Sri Lanka as King Prakrama Bahu the great. Establishing himself in Polonnaruwa, a capital worthy of authority and ambition of the ruler, he proceeded to show himself as a successful warrior and a great administrator, during which time he, through a medium of a dam nine miles long created the “The Sea of Parakrama” harvesting rain water to be used in the dry period of the year for cultivation purposes, carving the irrigation brilliance of Sri Lankan’s in stone, when most of Europe where still in darkness.
Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
A UNESCO world heritage site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world, Anuradhapura, founded in 380 BC by Prince Pandukabhaya according to the historical chronicle “Mahawamsa”, testify in a unique and specific way to the ancient Sinhalese civilizations architectural and irrigation prowess. The city quickly became both the capital of Sri Lanka and the sacred city of Buddhism on the island due to Mihintale, where apostle “Arahath Mahinda thero”, the son of the great Indian Emperor Asoka conveyed Buddhism to Sri Lanka. A walk along the mighty bund of “Tissa wewa” will bring you to a curious rock etching which is said to be the map of the world and beyond these rise The Isurumuniya Temple, famous for “The Isurumuniya lovers” stone sculpture.
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