Sri Lanka People and religion
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Sri Lanka has a multi religious society. Buddhism is the main religion though Christianity, Islam and Hinduism are also followed here. 70% of the people in Sri Lanka follow Buddhism. Hinduism is mainly followed by Tamils in Sri Lanka. It was during the rule of Hindu kings that temples were mainly constructed here. The major Hindu gods worshipped in Sri Lanka are Vishnu, Siva, Kali and Skanda.
Buddhism is the religion of most people followed by Hinduism. The Buddha tooth relic temple is visted by people of all religions in Sri Lanka. King Asoka’s son Mahendra was responsible for spreading Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Islam religion is believed to be brought by the Arabian traders. Dvaita Saiva Siddhanta has large followers among the Hindus in Sri Lanka. Their principles are in contrast to the Vedantha school of thought. The beautiful carvings on Hindu temples speak volumes about the architectural splendor in Sri Lanka. Temples were built by particular dynasties which give us much information about the life and times of that dynasty.
About 7% of the country’s populations are Muslims. They can be further subdivided into: Sri Lankan Moors, Indian Moors and Malays. Several beautiful mosques in Sri Lanka symbolize the reverence commanded by this religion in Sri Lanka.
The arrival of Portuguese in the 16th century led to the spread of Christianity in Sri Lanka. Conversions to Christianity increased during the British rule, but Christianity is somewhat restricted in Sri Lanka.
The major ethnic groups in Sri Lanka include Sinhalese and the Sri Lankan Tamils and also the Indian Tamils. Muslims and other people of mixed European and Sri Lankan descent also live in Sri Lanka. Among Sinhalese too there is a distinction between people living in the coastal areas and those living in the central part of the island.
Veddhas are the indigenous inhabitants of Sri lanka. The Dutch Burghers and Sri Lankan Malays are other ethnic groups of Sri Lanka. The Jews of Old Ceylon and Chetties from nagapattinam also have their foothold in Sri lanka.
Sri Lankan beaches are the great place for adventure sports
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Sri Lanka is a surfer’s paradise. There are several sunny beaches which can just leave you enthralled and relaxed while on a holiday.
The beach of Negombo to the north of Colombo is a historical place seeped in Dutch history. You can get great seafood here. Fishing villages are strewn in this area and remnants of cinnamon cultivation, a church and a canal can be seen in this area. Mt Lavinia beach has beauty combined with heritage. You can engage in many different kinds of sports here like surfing, swimming, beach volleyball and beach rugby. This place is thronged by latest music bands and VJ’s.
The Beruwela and Bentota beaches are situated to the south of Colombo. These beaches on the south western coast are truly the lover’s spot due to their scenic beauty. Palm trees line both sides of the beach and white sandy strips and fresh blue waters would beckon you to this tourist spot.
Ambalangoda to the south western coast of Colombo also has sandy beaches and rocky isles. People sell traditional wooden arteacts, wooden moppets and mask carving alongside the beaches which show the people’s rich craftsmanship.
The beach of Hikkaduwa is situated to the south of Sri Lanka and is a paradise of coral reefs. It is the most breathtaking beach with the utmost scenic beauty in Ceylon. Multicolored corals, which is the home to many species of fishes is a rare sight that can be seen in Hikkaduwa. In the tiny islets alongside the beach you can see different coral formations. You can indulge in board and body surfing in these beaches. Snorkeling and surfing are the other sports that can be indulged in and equipment for the same is available easily. Shops selling jewelry, antiques, batik pieces, gems and masks are another added attraction in this beach area.
The port of Galle is situated to the south of Colombo. Portuguese and Dutch influence is seen in some the architectural marvels in this port city. Especially the Fort in Galle is seeped in rich Dutch tradition and you can go for a stroll within and outside the fort which can be a pleasurable experience.
Sri Lanka Wildlife and nature
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You can go on a safari in Sri Lanka to view elephants and rare species of birds and animals. There are at least 30 hotspots for bird watching. You can also enjoy the landscapes and bio diversity of Sri Lanka as you travel.
Kandy –Udawatta Kale is a great location for some great wildlife and rare birds. Sinharaja rain forest is one of the most diverse natural rain forests of Sri Lanka. It was declared a world heritage by UNESCO in 1990. It encompasses the most beautiful flora and fauna and attracts nature lovers the world over. Kitulgala Kaleni River is another natural locale and adventure spot. You can deeply relax to just the sound of water flowing by in this great tourist spot. Water rafting, bird watching and other adventure sports can be undertaken here. Nuwara Eliya is a famous hill resort and has the famous tea shrubs. This place is also renowned for its Georgian style buildings and artifacts.
Closer to the city of Colombo is Bellanwilla a small but beautiful bird sanctuary. From here you can go the nearby beaches quickly. Muturajawela is another sanctuary of ecology and birds. Yala is the largest park in Sri Lanka and home to the biggest mammals, wild buffalo, deer and bear. Peacock and Sri Lankan jungle fowl can also be seen here. Uda Walawe is Sri Lanka’s most famous elephant park. This is also a great place for camping and safari. Mahiyangana, another ancient city of Sri Lanka is seeped in Buddhist tradition where you can see rare birds and it has close access to some good national parks.
Pinnawala elephant orphanage is unique of its kind and was established to nurse and feed young elephants abandoned by their mothers. On the way to the north, you can enjoy the peacefulness of Habarana city which is also the centre of attraction for nature and bird lovers. To know about Veddhas culture and tradition you can visit Dambana where you see people living in harmony with Mother Nature. Minipe is a great bird watching and cultural centre in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka The Ayurvedic Destinations
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Sri Lanka is famous for its Ayurvedic destinations where you can just relax and have a peaceful time. Ayurveda, the science of life is an alternative system of medicine and helps you relax in body and in mind.
Beruwala sea port is not only great in terms of a tourist spot but also for its Ayurvedic treatments and the lighthouse. The Western coast city of Bentota also offers spa and Ayurvedic treatments to relieve stress and other diseases of body and mind and are thronged by tourists all the year round. October and April are the best time to take a holiday in Bentota. Kurunegala is another ancient city which is famous for the various Ayurvedic treatments it offers tourists.
Amaya lake in Kandy also offers the best spa and ayurvedic treatments in Sri Lanka. Herbal body treatments and facials are given in different rooms. The ambience itself will leave you floored and leave you asking for more. Shirodara treatments which are a part of rejuvenation programmes are also offered to guests and involve pouring of warm oil on the forehead. You can also pick Ayurvedic oils and powders for use at home.
Ayurveda center, Maho situated on the borders of fort city Yahapahuwa is a full fledged Ayurvedic hospital offering all treatments. In the coastal city of Negombo is the tranquil health resort by name Ayurveda Pavillions. Induruwa has Niroga Ayurvedic resort and its tranquil atmosphere helps in rejuvenation of mind and body of the guests. Individual attention for each guest is a remarkable feature of this Ayurvedic center. Wadduwa has Siddhalepa Ayurvedic health resort. It gives 100% natural Ayurvedic treatments under the supervision of Ayurvedic doctors.
Beruwala is famous for its Neptune Ayurveda village. This resort provides an idyllic setting for a relaxation and rejuvenation programme in Ayurveda. Each and every individual will have tailor made packages to suit his or her taste as advised by an expert in Ayurveda. Ulpotha, a pilgrim center in Anuradhapura also is famous for its holistic treatments in Ayurveda. Kandy’s Earl Regency also has unique Ayurvedic treatments to suit each and every individual’s needs.
Sri Lanka The best place for adventure sports
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The abundance of rivers, lagoons and beaches in Sri Lanka makes it an attractive destination for adventure sports like Para gliding, trekking and rafting. The many reservoirs in Sri Lanka has hotels that will provide all facilities to indulge in canoeing or kayaking. Kayaking is a new adventure sport which involves descending a waterfall amidst boulders and is very thrilling. You can undertake white water rafting to fully enjoy the spectacular scenic beauty of the region.
Sri Lanka offers a great scope for trekking and climbing because of its diverse climatic zones. You can also trek in cities or towns closer to Colombo. You can view tiny hamlets and farms on the way and also take up bird watching. It is however advised to avoid the monsoon season to take up trekking and climbing due to muddy terrains. Peak wilderness sanctuary offers ample scope for trekking apart from other places.
Sri Lanka’s physical features and climatic conditions make it suitable for para gliding. You can indulge in this sport at Ella Adventure park, a hotel situated at Ella city. Knuckles mountain range makes it possible to indulge in rock climbing. The mountain ranges offers plethora of opportunities for those who are love adventure. It also enables you to discover nature in all its glory.
You can also have a bird’s eye view of Sri Lanka by ballooning in a hot air balloon. You can view the ancient lakes and the ruins of cities from a hot air balloon. Tour operators like Red Dot tours make available ballooning as an adventure sport. The balloon rides are conducted as a team with people who have had years of experience so there is no worry about safety. October to April will be the ideal time to pursue this sport as it is dependable on climatic conditions to a large extent. You can also cycle through small villages and cities to know more about Sri Lanka. The National Cycle Trails have been developed to encompass a large number of tourists, while giving priority to the exploring some rare sights of nature.
Entertainment and festivals in Sri Lanka
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The night clubs sprinkled across Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Negombo are ridden with floor shows and music for dancing. They are open between 9 A.M and 3 A.M. Drinks are expensive and not served on full moon days in Sri Lanka. The dress code is smart casual and music code is mainstream pop. The famous night clubs are Blue Elephant, The little hut, Peacock Night Club, The Garage etc.
The Karaoke bars, pubs and clubs are also popular entertainment spots in Sri Lanka. Casinos are famous spots for foreigners and locals. Black Jack, Roulette, Baccarat, Rummy are some of the famous games that are played. The Ritz Club, Jupiter’s Casino, Continental Club, Tokyo Club, Treasure Island are some of the renowned clubs here.
Specialty restaurants cater to Japanese, Thai, Continental, Chinese, Indian fare and seafood and fast food joints are also aplenty. There are also coffee shops and mixed fare serviced in the same restaurant.
Traditional dance forms in Sri Lanka is becoming increasingly popular with the growing influx of tourists and can be seen in the cultural centers and shows organized by hotels and travel agents. Lake Club and Avanhala cultural hall in Kandy organizes regular dance shows in the evenings.
The art galleries are also worth a visit in Sri Lanka that showcases photographs and paintings of artists in Sri Lanka and also the sculptures. The National Art Gallery and the Lionel Wendt art Gallery deserve specific mention. Cyber cafes offer opportunities especially for young people to connect to their relatives and friends and lots of people throng cyber cafes for quick communication.
Festivals in Sri Lanka
There are a lot of festivals that are celebrated in Sri Lanka. Sinhala and Tamil New year is called Sinhala Avurudu and is celebrated by Hindus and Buddhists alike. Vesak is celebrated on a full moon day in May. There are Vel festivals in July, Esala festival in August. Deepavali and Christmas are also celebrated with much fanfare. Muslims celebrate Id-ul-Fitr. In short, Sri Lankans celebrate a wide range of festivals that call for ritual, religion and pageantry.
Sri Lanka A Rich in culture and heritage
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There are famous cultural and heritage centers in Sri Lanka well worth a visit. Sigiriya is a world famous rock fortress built by king Kashyapa. You can see the beauty of the fortress and all the paintings which makes it the eighth wonder of the world. You can also enjoy the frescoes and stone carvings that can be seen in Sigiriya. Kandy is a renowned historic city of Sri Lanka which is situated amidst the hills making it a picturesque location. The sacred tooth relic of Buddha is also seen in a temple built in the 15th century. You can see the most colorful pageant here every August. You can also see the famous drummers; dancers and musicians exhibit their traditional art forms in Kandy. The botanical garden, museum, elephant bathing scenes and Kandyan dancing are other major attractions of this city.
The first known kingdom of Sri Lanka built by king Anuradha is also famous for its cultural heritage and seeped in ancient history. Anuradhapura is famous for its architectural marvels, Mahabodhi, tanks and Dagabas. It is also famous for its irrigational network and farming community. It is declared as a world heritage city by UNESCO and one of the landmarks for Buddhism. If you are the type who loves art you ought to visit the ancient city of Polonaruwa. The Gal Vihara rock temple and ancient temple architecture is manifested in many of the sculptures and artifacts seen in this great city. Many traditional rituals undertaken by farming community can also be seen here. Dambulla is another place rich in cultural heritage where you can see beautiful wildlife including elephants and birds. Many cultural shows can also be seen here. Another manifestation of Sinhala art and architecture is the rock fortress of Yapahuwa built by king Buwanekhabahu on a huge granite rock that rises 100 m from the ground. Ritigala near Yapahuwa is famous for its monasteries.
Minneriya is another ancient city built alongside a tank by King Parakramabahu. It has a popular wildlife and games park.
Popular food and drinks in Sri Lanka
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Sri Lankan and South Indian menu finds its mention in all the menu cards in Sri Lankan hotels. Regional variations however are many and you can find many different varieties of prawns, cuttlefish, chicken etc. Curry, Pol sambar containing grated coconut, lime juice and chili powder is also famous in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankans are also experts in preparing fish dishes. Mallung, Sampros, Buruyani, Pollos Pehi is some other popular dishes of Sri lanka. Juice sweetmeats like Kavum, Thalaguli are also worth a try.
The food is generally very cheap in Sri Lanka; a meal costs hardly a dollar. Rice and curry is the common food of Sri Lanka. You can get a cheap lunch in any of the many cafes or hotels in Sri Lanka. The curries which constitute many different varieties are popular in Sri Lanka. The basic items like chicken, beef, vegetables are cooked in rich coconut milk with other ingredients that gives the strong flavor to the curries of Sri Lanka. The curries are really hot and chefs make adjustments to suit foreign tastes. Kottu Roti a mixture of roti, meat and assorted vegetables is another delicacy in Sri Lanka. Kiri bath is a famous festive rice dish. Rice comes in several varieties in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan eat with their right hands, and you can also get cutleries everywhere if you cannot eat this way. 5 star hotels and upscale restaurants are many in Sri Lanka which offers local and international cuisine.
Tea is a popular drink in Sri lanka as it is one of the world’s largest producers of tea. Thambli or the juice of yellow coconuts are famous and sold on the streets in Sri Lanka. This is more nutritive, hygienic and cheaper than bottled drinks available here. Soft drinks are available aplenty and you can try interesting combinations like ginger beer and cream soda. Lion Lager is the most common local beer. Other popular drinks include Lion Stout, Three coins etc. Arrack is the traditional spirit taken with ginger beer. Quality of the drinks would vary with the prices you can afford to pay.
Sri Lanka How to get there and mode of transport
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Sri Lankan Airlines, a national flagship carrier operates to and from Colombo Bandaranayake. Flights are available from all places to Colombo namely Europe, Middle East, China, Japan, India & Pakistan. There are also Sri Lankan flights to nearby resort areas like Maldives, Goa etc. Srilanka’s only low cost airline Mihin Lanka flies to several parts of India, Male, Bangkok and Singapore. Other airlines include Cathay Pacific, Malaysia, Singapore, Qatar and LTU.
For those traveling from USA or Canada there are various options and you can consider a stop over at Europe or SE Asia. You can also opt for the non-stop flights to New Delhi from Chicago or Newark. This may be the farthest route but you have to check if an Indian transit visa is required.
You can also travel via ship to Sri Lanka from Trivandrum. The rates are more affordable this way. Sri Lanka Port Authority will be able to give further details for traveling by ship.
Mode of Transport within Sri Lanka
The three-wheeler or tri-Shaw is the most common mode of transport within Sri Lanka. Also known as tuk-tuks this is the most cost effective method to travel around Sri Lanka. Rented cars are another mode of transport which are cheaper and safer than three wheelers and hence recommended by most hotels. You can also avail a van with driver facility from a tour operator but you have to agree upon a day to day travel plan with the tour operator for seeing Sri Lanka.
Bus rides can be uncomfortable and crowded and though they may be cheap it will leave you confused. AC buses are still better but still uncomfortable. Trains also run in certain places and are cheaper and more comfortable than buses. You can enjoy the picturesque scenery of Sri Lanka by going on a train ride. Sitting on the right side offers a better view. A good railway system covers major points in Sri Lanka excepting the North and East coasts. Seaplane services are available to certain places like Galle, Kandy, Nuwara, Eliya etc. You can get a bird’s eye view of Sri Lanka from such travel.
Sri Lanka some must see tourist spots
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Sri Lanka has some exotic places of interest and makes a great holiday destination. The
National Museum established in 1877 showcases artifacts and manuscripts encompassing the age old tradition of the island. The National History Museum features the flora and fauna of the island. Pettah is the bazaar street of Sri Lanka where you can shop for anything ranging from handicrafts to clothing.
Colombo’s zoo is worth a visit and you can see all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and fishes here. The aquarium in the zoo exhibits over 500 types of fishes. There is also an aviary and a butterfly park including a reptile enclosure.
The ancient city of Anuradhapura is situated about 250 km north of Colombo and it stands majestically in a jungle. You can see remains of ruined palaces, sculptures, monasteries and bathing ponds in this great city. You can travel on a bicycle to see rare spots in this city. Tourist facilities and hotels are available nearby.
The Pinnewela Elephant orphanage is unique of its kind established by the Sri Lankan Government in 1975. It covers about 25 acres of lush forest and its purpose is to nurse and feed young elephants abandoned by their mothers. The mountain peak known as Sri Pada or Adam’s peak is a sacred pilgrimage centre and thronged by people of all faiths. It bears a footprint on a rock on its summit. The traditional city of Kandy is another great tourist place of interest as it has the sacred tooth of Buddha. As the tooth is contained in a casket people cannot see it, nevertheless it is a famous tourist spot.
The Northeast coast of Srilanka has a natural harbor where you can see the ancient port of Trincomalee. The beaches here are an attractive sight and you can see Fort Frederik built by the Portuguese and Tirukoneswaram temple which is a famous Hindu temple.
The other places of interest worth mentioning are the star fort, Wewurukaimala temple at Matara which has beautiful Buddhist murals and the Yala National park. The port city of Galle is seeped in Dutch tradition and has a fort; Sigiriya is an important Buddhist site which you can see in Central Sri Lanka.