Sri Lanka is a country of over 2500 years of history. Hundreds of Kings have ruled different parts of the island, and have contributed for the cultural prosperity of the country.Out of these, the Kandyan Kingdom, the Anuradhapura Kingdom, and the Polonnaruwa Kingdoms stand out due to the extraordinary feats in the history of Sri Lanka.
Today, the region is known as the cultural triangle, as you can draw a hypothetical triangle along the three points of areas of cultural importance and historical significance.
Here is a list of places that you MUST include in your cultural triangle itinerary.
- Anuradhapura
The top most point of the cultural triangle, and home to a kingdom that last over ten centuries, Anuradhapura offers a range of landmarks, historical sites, temples, and ruins of palaces. The island’s most revered 8 Buddhist sites, known as the “Atamasthana” are in the area. Sri maha bo tree, Ruwanweli stupa, Thuparama, Lovamahapaya, Abhayagirya, Jetavanaya, Mirisavetiya and Lankarama are included in this eight.
- Isurumuniya
Known as a temple during the Anuradhapura era, Isuruminiya as most famous for a several carvings, among which the “Isurumuniya Lovers” is well known. The carving is said to depict the Prince Saliya, who gave up his rightful throne for the sake of being with his low caste lover Asokamala.
- Polonnaruwa
The second kingdom of Sri Lanka was home to many architectural wonders. Among these the Rock Temple or the Gal Vihara is specially celebrated for the intricate craftsmanship of the artist, who has carved Buddha statues out of granite. The Nissanka latha mandapaya, Watadage and hetadaage are other wonders of architecture, that boasts of the taste of the Sri Lankan artists.
- Sigiriya
The fortress which was built atop the isolated rock outcrop is a marvel to the contemporary engineers, as the irrigation technology that carried water onto the top of the fortress remains a secret to date. The Sigiri graffiti, and the mirror wall aided in it becoming the 8th wonder of the world.
- Yapahuwa
Located close to the Kurunegala- Anuradhapura road, Yapahuwa is quite remarkable as it is yet another rock fortress kingdom that prevailed the tests of time. The fortress is said to have housed the tooth relic for a period over ten years, After it was abandoned the fortress had been later converted into a monastery.
- Mihinthale
Mihintale is significant for the Buddhists as it dates back to the origin of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. King Devanampiya Tissa is said to have encountered the Arahat Mahinda Thero, while he was hunting for deer in the vicinity of Mihintale. After the King embraced Buddhism, he built a monastery in Mihinthale. There is a certain amount of climbing up the path to Mihinthale.
- Ritigala
Known as Aritta Pabba, the Ritigala mountain is known to have been a Forest Monastery which was erected by Aritta, the chief minister of king Devanampiyatissa, who was ordained and attained Arahathood. The ruins of the monastery exists to date, and today Ritigala is a strict nature reserve.
- Dambulla
The cave monastery of Dambulla is preserved in the same condition though it dates back to over 22 centuries. The mural paintings on the rock walls, cover an area of over two thousand metres. The temple is an icon of the arts and the crafts of ancient Sri Lanka.
- Embekke
The Embekke Devale, located in the vicinity of the upper part of Kandy, is well known for the woodcarvings on all four sides of the many pillars that hold up the wooden Devala. These carvings have been deemed among the finest of the world by the UNESCO. The Devale is said to have been a three-storeyed offering to the God of Katharagama.
- The Temple of the Tooth Relic
Dating back to the Kandyan Kingdom, the temple of the tooth relic is the most revered possession of the Buddhists of the country as it is home to left tooth relic of the Lord Buddha. The Esala procession, which includes a variety of dances and elephants carrying caskets, is held annually as an offering to the Buddha.
If you are a history buff, this is the list for you. If you aren’t, well a little dose of culture never killed anybody! Though Sri Lanka is a small island, it has a rich history of over two hundred decades. Learning a few anecdotes about the ancient Ceylon will definitely spice up your travel stories.