Dambulla is the largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. Located in the center of the cultural triangle and dates back to the 103 BC and 89 - 77 BC. The Dambulla Rock Temple had first been constructed during the rein of King Valagamba. ( Vattagamini Abhaya )
The rock tower 160 meters over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves around the area. Major attractions are spread over five caves, which contain statues and paintings.
The rock paintings of vivid colours and shapes are related to Gauthama Buddha's life events.
There are total of 153 Buddha statues, 03 statues of Sri Lankan kings and 04 statues of gods and goddesses. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square meters (23,000 sq ft).
Dabbulla is a scent of unique interest. Its rock temples are the most extensive in the island and one of the most ancient and in the highest state of preservation and order.
On the way up there are five viewpoints enabling to see the surrounding landscape up to about 20km distance. The caves are open for visitors from 7 am to 6 pm.
Its glory is recognized and that is why holds the title of a UNESCO world heritage.
Highlights
• Goldan temple.
• Aukana.
• Dambulla Buddhist museum.
• Kandalama lake.
• Dambulla market.
Unbelievable technical, stone methods, wall arts with beautiful environment shows you the unlimited talent of the Sri Lankan aborigines.
Located in the northern extremity of the Matale district, 350 meters above the sea level, Sigiriya has a striking geological profile. It was one of the Sri Lanka's ancient political capital and most sensational archaeological site.
Some researches has identify Sigiriya as a historical turning point of Ravana. But, According to the Sri Lankan history, the king Kashyapa created this citadel for his capital. He was ruled 477 to 495 AD. After the Kasyapa the site reverted back as a Buddhist Monastery.
The rock itself has its unique identity due to its shape not found anywhere else in the island and can recognize miles away from the distance. It rises about 200 meters above the surrounding plane and its summit that is about 1.5 hectares accommodates the royal palace and the garden. There are 1200 steps to climb to the top to the rock.
The technique and conception of the builder displayed, with the least disturbance to the landscape, the hillside has been converted into a series of terraces forming a terraced garden blending with the rock shelters making it a unit boulder garden. The royal park or pleasure garden lies at the west of the citadel with intricate water retaining structures having exterior and interior hydraulic systems. Several ponds are located in the top of the rock. Water for this water gardens come from the underground pipes system. This system still active in rainy season. Three distinct forms of gardens have been identified here. Water gardens, cave boulder gardens and terraced gardens encircling the rock.
One of the other main attractions of Sigiriya is paintings. Those are very beautiful and unique.
The inner another interesting construction in the mirror wall. The mirror wall is face of the rock polished as mirror. The Sigiriya graffiti are still visible even today on the mirror wall. This graffiti consider as the comments from the people who visited Sigiriya from the 5th to 10th century.
Once arrived at the top of Lion Rock enjoy the incredible 360 degrees view over the whole area. Every corner has its own unique view.
Sigiriya provides evident for the great technologies in ancient Sri Lanka.
Considering the uniqueness of Sigiriya UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site in 1982.
Highlights
• Pidurangala.
• Wildlife National Park safari.
• Rural village tour.
• Elephant ride.
• Ritigala.
• Kaludiya Pokuna.
Anuradhapuraya is regarded as Sri Lanka's first known Kingdom and principal city of Sri Lanka for 1500 years. Anuradhapuraya was home to 127 kings for island. King Pandukabhaya who founded the city of Anuradhapuraya may have built the citadel about the fourth century BC.
Anuradhapuraya located around 205 kms from north of Colombo. It is vast network of ancient Buddhist temples, royal palace, monasteries and places of worship which cover over 40 sq. km.
During the late Anuradhapura period, the royal family and nobility of Sri Lanka strongly supported Buddhism. As such, they frequently commissioned works of art and donated these items to Buddhist temples.
Eight Great Places of Veneration in Anuradhapura - (Atamasthana)
• Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
• Ruwanwelisaya
• Thuparamaya stupa
• Lovamahapaya (The brazen palace)
• Abhayagiri Dagaba
•Jetavanarama
• Mirisaveti Stupa
• Lankarama
Other structures
• Mihinthale.
• Aukana buddha statue.
• Ritigala.
• Samadhi statue.
• Kuttam Pokuna. (Twin pond)
• Moonstone.
• Isurumuni Monastery.
• Magul Uyana. (Royal palace garden)
• Vessagiri.
• Monks' Hospital.
• The refectory.
• The stone trough.
• Kaludiya pokuna.
• Archaeological museum.
• Jetavanarama museum.
Anuradhapuraya is revered as one of the great monastic site on this planet. Being well known for its cultural and religious value the city attracts many tourists who love to explore the ancient history of Sri Lanka.
Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura. It was the Sinhalese kingdom from which Sri Lankan kings ruled the island from 1056 to 1236 AD.
The city of Polonnaruwa stands on an area of about 122 hectares. Within this area lie a geographically and historically identify place having special cultural or physical significance such as an ancient ruin or historical structure, buildings of complex, enormous temple, royal palaces, beautiful gardens, national park, monument and south Indian Kovil. Those are signify a remarkable accomplishment of humanity and serve as evidence of our intellectual history.
The vast irritations network with reservoirs that look like natural in land sea, sustained such epic scales in rice cultivation. The real hero of Polonnaruwa according to the history was king Parakramabahu. During the reign of king Parakramabahu Sri Lanka became known as the granary of the orient. That period considered the golden era of Polonnaruwa.
Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned archaeological relic cities in the country. Polonnaruwa has been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Highlights :
• Archaeological museum.
• King Parakramabahu statue.
• The royal palace.
• Kumara pond. (Royal pond).
• The council chamber.
• Siva Dewalaya.
• Thuparamaya Gedige.
• Atadage.
• Hatadage.
• Vatadage (Circular relic house)
• Gal poth (Stone book)
• Sathmahal prasadaya.(Seven storeyed edifice)
• Menik Vehera.
• The monastic hospital.
• Lankathilaka temple. (images house).
• Kiri venera stupa.
• Gal viharaya ( Rock temple)
• The lotus royal pond.
• The Thiwanka image house.
• Madirigiriya watadage.
We will be exploring all monuments and monastic remains in a single busy day that start in the early morning.
The rugged landscapes of Sri Lanka's countryside will take your breath away. From rolling hillsides covered in flourishing tea plantations to some of the greatest architectural and natural wonders in the world, you won't be short of remarkable scenic and cultural sites. A city replete with scenic beauty and salubrious climate.
Kandy is the last capital of the long line of Sinhalese kings. It possesses a unique character holding in its bosom the Temple of the Tooth. The historic buildings displaying the best of Kandyan architecture.
From the beginning of 14th century Kandy became a city of Royal residence but it had to wait another century for to become a capital of the Kandyan kingdom. Last king was Sri Vikrama Rajasinghe. In 1815 Kandy came under the British which annexation lasted for 133 years until the country regained its independence in 1948.
Kandy is very famous for tea plantations and biodiverse rainforests. It is a good transit point to the cultural triangle to the north or hill country to the south.
Kandy was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988.
Highlights
• Temple of tooth relic.• The Royal palace complex.
• Sri Dalada museum.
• The council chamber.
• Queen's bath (Ulpenge)
• Kandy perahera.
• Gadaladeniya and Lankathilaka royal temple
• Embekka devalaya.
• knuckle mountain range.
• Kandy city tour.
• Udawatthakelle forest reserve.
• Bahirawakanda temple.
• Kandyan Cultural Dancing show.
• Peradeniya Royal botanical garden.
• Pinnawala Elephant orphanage.
• The tea museum.
• Gem museum.
• Adam's Peack
• Kithulgala
Welcome to the HEART of the Sri Lanka.
Contacts
Address: No: 211,
Talatuoya road,
Gurudeniya,
Kandy,
Sri lanka
Contact: +94 777195012
e-mail : info@iwatours.com
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