AIRPORT – ANURADHAPURA

180 km approx.

3 Hrs and 30 min

Visiting palces :- Visit Aukana temple.

Overnight stay at the hotel Anuradhapura.

Aukana Ancient Rock Temple is a sacred Buddhist temple region with numerous worthwhile sacred residues, including Aukana Buddha, a massive Buddha statue carved out of a large single rock, towering over 40ft in height and representing the nation’s excellent ancient sculpture technology. Both local and foreign pilgrims and tourists visit this sacred tourist attraction in Sri Lanka to see the nation’s tallest ancient standing Buddha statue, carved out elaborately in the 5th century BC and with an interesting history behind it. Here you can learn about Sri Lanka’s ancient civilization and culture, as well as its antique yet exquisite stone art.

ANURADHAPURA – POLONNARUWA
110 km approx.
2 hrs
Visiting places :- Sri Mahabodhiya tree / Ruvanweli maha seya / Mihintale.
Overnight stay at the hotel Polonnaruwa

A sacred fig tree in Anuradhapura, Mahamewna Gardens, is a sacred fig tree in Anuradhapura. It is said to be the right-wing (southern branch) of the historical Sri Maha Bodhi in India, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It was planted in 288 BC, making it the world’s oldest living human-planted tree with a known planting date. Today, it is one of the most sacred Buddhist relics in Sri Lanka, and it is revered by Buddhists all over the world.

Ruwanweli Maha Seya was built by the great king Dutugamunu, who reigned from Anuradhapura from 137 BC to 119 BC. Ruwanweli Seya temple is the most revered Buddhist site in Anuradhapura, second only to Sri Maha Bodhi. Ruwanweli Maha Seya is not the largest or the oldest of Anuradhapura’s stupas, but it is the most revered by Buddhists, surpassing all other great stupas. It houses the most impressive collection of Gautama Buddha relics found in any dagaba on the island.

Mihintale is only 12 kilometers from the famous city of Anuradhapura. Mihintale is home to the sacred forest mountain Missaka Pabbatha, where King Devanampiya Tissa met Arhat Mahinda Thera and his companions. Prior to that, on his third visit, Lord Gautama Buddha visited this location, which was then known as Missaka Pabbatha. As one of the sixteen places (Solosmasthana) visited by Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka, this is regarded as one of the most important sacred places by Sri Lankan Buddhists.

POLONNARUWA – KANDY
140 Km approx.
3 hrs
Visiting places :- Visit Gal Viharaya. / Visit Dambulla rock temple / Visit Alu Viharaya / Temple of the tooth relic.
Overnight stay at the hotel Kandy

Alu Viharaya – Due to South Indian invasions and other issues, the monks who left for India and the hilly areas of Sri Lanka during the difficult period returned to Anuradhapura and decided to transcribe the Tripiaka (philosophical doctrines of Buddhism) for the preservation and the use of future generations. The monks selected Alu vihare Rock temple in Matale as the most suitable and secure place to carry out this important event. This transcription was carried out due to the fear that the doctrine would be lost during the upheaval caused by repeated South Indian invasions. ([4] It is said that 500 scholarly monks congregated at Aluvihare Rock temple to perform the difficult task of first reciting the doctrines and agreeing on an acceptable version before transcription. The entire transcription was done in books made of ola leaves, locally known as puskola poth. These books were made up of thick strips created from the leaves of the palmyra or talipot-palm, and the doctrines were written down in the Pali language.

The Temple of the Tooth Relic: The Sri Dalada Maligawa, or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, is located in the city of Kandy. It was built within the royal palace complex, which houses one of the two surviving relics of the tooth of Buddha, an object of veneration for Buddhists, and thus makes the temple possibly the most sacred Buddhist shrine in the world. It is venerated not only by Buddhists in Sri Lanka but by Buddhists all over the world.

Dambulla Golden Rock Temple, also known as Dambulla Cave Temple, is an ancient temple region in central Sri Lanka with numerous time-worn caves, rock temples, statues, paintings, and murals as the main attractions for visitors. The Dambulla Cave Temples are spread across acres of land and are one of the best-preserved historic edifices in Sri Lanka. This is the country’s largest cave temple complex, located 148 kilometers east of Colombo.

KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA
100 Km approx.
2 hrs and 30 min
Visiting places :- Gregory lake / Ramboda water fall
Overnight stay at the hotel in Nuwara Eliya
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Ramboda has stunning scenery and rare birds cooing in the dense forests. Overall, a visit to Ramboda Falls will take you on a nature retreat. The gushing waters and their sounds as they crackle against the rocks are an awe-inspiring experience. Pussellawa, in central Sinhala province, has people whose warm hearts never cease to welcome visitors. Ramboda Falls offers a one-of-a-kind experience with nature that is far from commercialization.

Lake Gregory, located in Nuwara Eliya, was built in 1873. It is a wetland that has been converted into a beautiful lake and is also known as Gregory Lake. Every year, a large number of tourists visit the lake for recreational purposes. The lake is located in the city’s heart. There is now a lake park where people can enjoy relaxing picnics. The beauty of this lake will take your breath away. You can also get beautiful pictures taken here and create lasting memories.

NUWARA ELIYA – COLOMBO
250 km approx.
6 hrs
Visiting places :- Gangarama Temple & Kelaniya Temple.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Colombo.

Gangarama Temple: The temple has been in existence for over 120 years, having been established by one of the most famous scholar monks, Venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumanagala Nayaka Thera, founder of the Vidyodaya Pirivena, originally an institute of oriental learning for monks, now a state university – Sri Jayewardenapura University.

The Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, also known as the Kelaniya Temple, is a Buddhist temple located seven miles from Colombo in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. The Venerable Professor Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera is the Chief Incumbent (Chief Priest).
Buddhists believe Buddha hallowed the temple during his third and final visit to Sri Lanka, eight years after attaining enlightenment. As a result, its history predates 500 BCE.
According to the Mahawansa, the original stupa at Kelaniya housed a gem-studded throne on which the Buddha sat and preached.
During the Kotte era, the temple flourished, but much of its land was confiscated during the Portuguese empire. However, under the Dutch empire, new gifts of land were made, and the temple was rebuilt under the patronage of King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha. It was renovated in the first half of the twentieth century with the assistance of Helena Wijewardana.
The temple is also known for its reclining Buddha image and paintings by native artist Solias Mendis depicting important events in the Buddha’s life, the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, and incidents from the Jataka tales. Every January, it hosts the Duruthu Maha Perehera procession.

We wish you farewell as our Chauffeur Guide drives you to the airport to catch your return trip home because all wonderful things must come to an end.