Family Getaway 6 Days Dambulla to Kandy Religious Tour Package

The beautiful Royal Rock Temple complex sits about 160m above the road in the southern part of Dambulla. Five separate caves contain about 150 stunning Buddha statues and paintings, some of Sri Lanka's most important and evocative religious art. Buddha images were first created here over 2000 years ago, and over the centuries subsequent kings added to and embellished the cave art. From the caves there are superb views over the surrounding countryside; Sigiriya is clearly visible some 20km distant. Dambulla is thought to have been a place of worship since the 1st century BC, when King Valagamba also known as Vattagamani Abhaya, driven out of Anuradhapura, took refuge here. When he regained his throne, he had the interior of the caves carved into magnificent rock temples. Further paintings were made by later kings, including King Nissanka Malla, who had the caves’ interiors gilded, earning the place the name Ran Giri Golden Rock.

Sigiriya is a “UNESCO World Heritage Site” and the 5th Century “Fortess in the Sky” which is perhaps the most fantastic single wonder of the Island. It is also known as Lion Rock because of the huge lion that used to stand at the entrance to the Place on the summit of the 600-foot high rock. On its summit are the foundations of the Royal Palace, Water Tanks to supply water and all other buildings and at the edges the guardhouses. On one of the stairways the only known ancient work of Sinhala secular painting survived in the form of Frescoes of 21 life sized damsels still shining in their original colours. The water Gardens, Fountain Garden, Summerhouses, Boulder Gardens and the Caves within the enclosed area should not be missed.

The hill capital is another “World Heritage Site”. It was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings during the Portuguese, Dutch and British rule and finally ceded to the British in 1815 after an agreement. To the Buddhists of Sri Lanka and the World, Kandy is one of the most sacred sites as it is the home of the “Dalada Maligawa” – Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Close by are the remains of the Royal Palace “Maha Wasala”, “Palle Wasala” – where the Queens stayed-now used for the National Museum, “Meda Wasala” where other close relatives lived, Audience Hall, Natha Devala and Vishnu Devala are situated close by. The Bathing Pavilion “Ulpenge” is by the Lake and in the Center of the lake is the Island called “Kiri Samudraya” Milk white ocean used by the kings as the summerhouse. KANDY PERADENIYA ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDEN – 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the King of Gampola and Kandy. There are more than 5, 000 species of trees, plants and creepers. Some rare and endemic as well as flora from the tropical world are found in the gardens. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourists. There are 5 Palm avenues beautifying the gardens, the earliest and tallest Palm Avenue Royal Palm Avenue was planted in 1905 and the Double Coconuts from the Seashells Island, with the largest seed of all plants in the world is one such avenue

PINNAWELA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE - Approximately 55 miles from Colombo, off the Colombo – Kandy road is Pinnawela, where an orphanage was started in 1975 to house the abandoned and the wounded elephants. The number of elephants has increased to more than 65 now; including Baby Elephants brought from ious parts, as well as some of the more than 25 babies born, as result of the captive breeding programme. The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0915 hours – 0945 hours and 1415 hours – 1445 hours and the bathing time from 1000 hours – 1100 hours and 1500 hours – 1600 hours when all the elephants are taken to the river close by. COLOMBO – A drive through the city taking you to the busy commercial areas as well as the tree-lined residential, Cinnamon Gardens. Visit Fort, the former British administrative center and military garrison, Sea Street – the Goldsmith’s quarters in the heart of Pettah, the Bazzar area, where is also a Hindu Temple with elaborate stone carving and the Dutch Church of Wolfendhal dating back to 1749. The historic Dawatagaha Mosque and the former Eye Hospital are two buildings in Cinnamon Gardens worth looking at. Also visit the BMICH, see the replica of Avukana Buddha and Indipendence Square, Archade, Dutch Hospital ect.

Shopping which will include clothing, Jewelry & accessories e. g. : House of fashion, ODEL, Factory outlet, Gem arcades, Shopping Molls & etc. .

Departure