| The Sri
Lankan heritage steeped in legend and religion timeless past
with its many mounments, shrines and stupas, weaves together
an unbroken story of buddhism - the doctrine that shaped the
destiny of this Island Nation. |
| Anuradhapura |
| Founded in 5th century
BC-where the great Sinhala civilization flourished Amongst
the many monuments and shrines is the Sri Maha Bodhi, over
2200 years old, grown from the very tree under which Lord
Buddha attained Nibbana. The city's greatest treasures are
the dagobas, colossal in every sense, rivalled only by pyramids
of Egypt. |
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| Polonnaruwa |
| The medieval capital
of Sri Lanka of the 9th -12 century AD suffered many a south
Indian invasion before eventually settling down to ruin. Mighty
edifices built by the ancient Sinhala kings yet remain in
good preservation depicting its period of glory as a one-time
Capital of this nation. Unlike in Anuradhapura, the chief
monuments are concentrated in easily accessible locations.
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| Buduruwagala |
| a jungle shrine
with Buddha statues over a thousand years old. On the face
of this tall Buduruwagala rock is carved in high relief, a
unique assemblage of gigantic statuary. In the centre, flanked
by two 13 meter statues of the Bodhisatvas stands dominantly,
an 18 meter high image of the Buddha. |
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| Wawrukannala |
| with a new, but
largest Buddha statue in the Island, is only a short diversion
from the main route to the south where this colourful statue
of magnificent proportions can be viewed where the blue sky
is the backdrop. There are also two shrine rooms, the smaller
of an ancient period and the larger being a newer addition.
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| Aukana |
| the 1500-year-old
Buddha colossus, carved out of living rock, this almost freestanding
statue reaches high and beautiful 13 meters above its lotus
decorated plinth, which has been separately sculptured and
placed under the feet of the image. With the rays of the rising
sun falling on the statue, the serenity of the exquisitely
carved face and the gracefully carved robe is indeed a marvel
of art of a by gone era |
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| Sigiriya |
| 'The Rock fortress
in the Sky', now the 8th wonder of the world, rising almost
sheer to a height of 200 meters, is woven in tragedy of a
demented king escaping the wrath of an angered people by the
killing of his Royal father. The famed mirror wall, with over
700 recently deciphered graffiti, the beautiful water gardens,
the kings palace atop this huge rock out-crop, and most of
all the 22 frescoes of the life-size 'heavenly maidens of
the Sigiriya' collectively enhance the magnificence of Sigiriya
- The Lion Rock. |
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| Dambulla |
| the vast rock mass,
once the retreat of a King fleeing from defeat in war, who
on regaining his throne turned the caves that once sheltered
him to rock temples. With statues and frescoes over 2000 years
old, the most magnificent is the colossal granite-carved figure
of the recumbent Buddha 14 meters long that adorns one o the
caves. The climb begins along a large sloping rock face through
shrub jungle frequented by herds of monkeys, who, if encouraged
may snatch at your outstretched hand appealing for a lit-bit.
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| Kelaniya |
| the temple near
Colombo graced by the Buddha in the 8th year after attaining
enlightenment, on his third visit to the island. According
to tradition it is said he bathed in the Kelani river, which
flows close to this temple.
Kelaniya, once the seat of royalty, was ravaged by succeeding
invaders, eventually to be renovated in the 18th century.
The present temple is a splendid example of Sinhala art,
with murals adorning the inner walls where a large recumbent
image of the Buddha is found. |
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| Mihintale |
| the forest clad mountain,
sacred to the Buddhist, where the great bhikshu (monk) Mahinda,
preached the first sermon on Buddhism to the then King of
Aunurhapura in the 3rd. century BC. Dedicated to this memorable
event are shrines and monuments built on this sacred mountain
- with a remarkable stairway leading up - made of 1840 granite
slabs - arranged in four flights - now popularly known as
'the stairways to heaven' |
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| Yapahuwa |
| a Royal Stronghold
in the 13th century AD - a site to which the sacred tooth
of Lord Buddha was moved to save this sacred relic from marauding
invaders from south India. The 100 meters high Yapahuwa rock
is easily accessible and is also referred to as the rock fortress
- some claming that Yapahuwa even excels Sigiriya, maybe because
some of the surviving stonework is indeed exquisite. |
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| Aluvihare |
| the Buddhist monastery
in the caves where the doctrine of Buddhism was first recorded
in over a hundred years BC. Caves with fine frescoes and Buddha
images and even with a 'horror chamber' in one of the caves
makes a visit to Aluvihare worthwhile, more so due to its
close proximity to the main route between Dambulla and Kandy.
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| Embekke |
| an architectural
masterpiece in wood of the period of the Kandyan Kingdom.
Timber of massive proportions adorns the roof of this Temple,
whilst the village surrounding is famed for its exquisite
artwork in wood. |
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