Experience the Culture, nature and heritage and walk through the Cultural Triangle and visit the temples of Central Province.  Witness the UNESCO world heritages, Rock fortress of Sigiriya, the cave temple of Dambulla and the Temple of the Tooth Relic. Enjoy natural beauty, calmness and relax through most of its history. 


Day 01


Lankathilake Rajamaha Vihara


This ancient temple built in 1344 A.D during the reign of King Buvanekabahu IV stands out because of its unique architecture. Built with bricks and granite on a foundation of large blocks of granite carved from natural bedrock, it combines architectural features from the Polonnaruwa period and Hindu and local culture. Two ancient epigraphs inscribed in Sinhala and Tamil are in the temple premises. Locals believe the Hantana Mountain Range in the distance is a spirit guarding the temple. It can be found in the Panhelgala rocky outcrop in the Rabbegamuwa village. To get there, turn right at the 104 km post and travel 4 km via the Daulagala Road.


Embekka Dewalaya


A 700-year-old shrine with historic and religious significance. The construction was started by King Wickremabahu III and his queen, Henakanda Biso Bandara. The construction team was led by a drummer from the village of Rangama. The shrine is a complex of eight main buildings and although it had three storeys, only one remains. The carvings on the wooden pillars and roof are an architectural feature. In keeping with the tradition of village shrines, it is said to deliver miracles. Located close to a scenic paddy field the shrine has three access routes from the Colombo-Kandy highway, Buwelikada or through Thalavathura from Gelioya.


Nelligala International Buddhist Centre 


A modern temple which has a reputation for its blend of sanctity and scenery. Nelligala’s impressive gold-colored Buddha statues are talked about and the statue of the deity Saman, seated on a white elephant, is a new addition to the line-up. The temple grounds have several stupas. A part of the pilgrimage to the temple is for the guaranteed views of the Hanathana Mountain Range, Alagalla Mountain,Batalegala and on a clear day, of Adam’s Peak in the  distance. Popular with visitors, the temple gets busy during holidays. The best time to visit to take in the scenery is in the morning or after 5.00 p.m. Nelligala is in Muruthalawa, 12.3 km from Kandy. One route to get here is from Pilimathalawa. The other from Kiribathkumbura, is the better option.


Udawattakele Forest Reservoir


A moist monsoon type of forest of about 105 ha, it is of historical importance and also essential to maintain a balanced ecology in the Kandy area. The forest is rich in biodiversity with high numbers of endemic flora and fauna. There are approximately 405 plant species and over 100 species of birds, mammals, butterflies, lizards, snakes, and amphibians. The forest is of immense value to researchers and academics.


Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic


The Sri Dalada Palace, like the crown of the Buddhist people, is a world heritage site and a Buddhist shrine with cultural value, which receives special respect and worship from local and foreign devotees and tourists on a daily basis. Ninety of its architectural features are unique to Upland. The Sri Dalada Palace was built near the King's Palace near the Udawatta forest to the east of the city. On the right is the Milk Sea or Kandy Lake. The King's Palace is on the north side and the Natha and Pattini temples are on the west side.

 

  • Daily Services (Theva)

        The daily rituals performed for the Sacred Tooth Relic is called “Theva” or Services, and there are tree services. Early Morning Service, Mid-Day Service and the Evening Service. It also includes traditional sound offerings. Note that the itinerary includes the Evening service, This starts around 6.30.p.m and goes till 7.15.p.m in the midst of Hewisi sound withered and old flowers are removed and fresh flower are offered. The evening service is to offer Lord Buddha with juices or “Gilan Pasa” and other things. Sugar, Sukiri and the sugary sap of Kithul palm or “Althelijja” is Offred in three small goblets and also Honey, Ginger Juice and Ghee are offered in a combination of gold & silver goblets. There are two “Gilanpasa” offerings, the first and the second.


Day 02


Matale Spice Garden


Between Matale and its northern cousin Dambulla, Spice Gardens begin to pop up along the sides of the road. The average spice garden contains a number of plants and herbal growths that have a wide range of application in the local culture. From the versatile Kohomba sapling to Komarika and a host of other indigenous and common plants, a trip to a spice garden is another must experience curious past time for those experiencing Matale.


Dambulla Cave Temple  


A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m2) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues. Located in central Sri Lanka, the Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple is a living Buddhist site that is focused on a series of five cave shrines. Inhabited by forest-dwelling Buddhist monks since the 3rd century BCE, these natural caves have been transformed continuously throughout the historical period into one of the largest and most outstanding Buddhist complexes in the Southern and South Eastern Asian region, showcasing innovative approaches to interior layout and decoration.


Sigiriya Rock Fortress 


Sigiriya or Sinhagiri is an ancient rock fortress located in Matale district. It is a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock approximately 180 metres (590 ft) high. Sigiriya, a world heritage site nominated by UNESCO in 1982. King  Kashyapa  (477 – 495 AD) built his palace on top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion.The Lion Rock fortress of Sigiriya has been recently announced as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World by Bloomberg magazine.

 

Day 03


Pidurangala Temple


Originally a Buddhist monastery, the temple is inside a cave on Pidurangala Rock. Historical chronicles trace it to the first and second century BC but it is believed to have become famous during the time of King Kashyapa. He had renovated it for the meditating monks who had to leave Sigiriya after the King made it his kingdom. The monastery consisted of five main ritual buildings and the walls of the cave had ancient paintings. The stupa near the temple entrance is believed to mark the place where King Kashyapa was cremated. The surrounding area has fascinating archaeological ruins.


Mapagala


A fortified complex in the Anuradhapura Kingdom it would therefore have been around before King Kashyapa’s imposing monolith. The fortress was built with unshaped boulders of about 20 ft high. Archaeology Commissioner, Arthur Maurice Hocart, took note of the cyclopean style stone walls in the fort and the square hammered stones in the ramparts of the citadel. The ability to cut the massive block of granite to precision suggests that iron melting and iron tools were available at the time. This deduction is supported by the carvings on the stone thrones in the citadel, assembly hall, and in the palace on the summit. Evidence suggests that some of the first human settlements in Sri Lanka were found in caverns that surrounded this area. It is a magnificent spot to take in the green surroundings. This fortress is to the south of Sigiriya and close to the Sigiriya Tank.


Ibbankatuwa Megalithika burials


This is a centuries-old cemetery believed to have its origins in the Megalithic era according to radiocarbon dating. It was identified in 1970 by the Archaeology Department and the first excavation was carried out by the Central Cultural Fund between 1983 and 1984, and again from 1988-1990. There are about 420 tombs arranged into clusters of ten tombs each. The remains of the deceased and the goods and tools they used have been found at the site. Located on the Kurunegala-Dambulla main road, the site lies adjacent to the ancient Ibbankatuwa settlement.


-End of the Tour-


Additional Information

  • Entrance fees to be paid at the attractions – Temple of tooth relic, Udawatta Kele Forest Reserve, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, Pidurangala Temple, Ibbankatuwa Megalithik Burials 
  • When you enter the religious place make sure to remove your shoes and hats. Please wear an appropriate attire to show respect, which covers your body properly.