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| NAVAM PERAHERA AT GANGARAMAYA TEMPLE, COLOMBO |
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| The streets of Colombo transform under the weight of 100 colourful elephants, traditional Kandyan dancers, fire-dances and whip-dancers together with flags and decorations are displayed during February’s full moon. The event usually has as many as 1000 performers. The Navam Perahera, which started in 1979, attracts thousands of spectators to the Gangaramaya Temple every year who come to see this magnificent grand procession, at Hunupitiya on the banks of the picturesque Beira Lake. |
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| KALUTHARA TEMPLE |
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| The famous Gangatilake Stupa has the unusual distinction of being the only one in the world which is entirely hollow. You can go right inside the cavernous interior. Inside, the walls are lined with murals depicting various scenes from the Buddhist Jataka tales. It's a lively complex & a good place to watch the daily rituals of Sri Lankan Buddhism; the offerings to Buddha images are made three times a day. Devotees place food, flowers in front of the images, lighting coconut-oil lamps, tying prayers written on scraps of cloth to the Bo trees. |
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| RICHMOND CASTLE |
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| Richmond Castle is a beautiful example of Indian and British colonial period architecture. Originally a spice plantation mansion, the house is now open to the public. At Palatota, a little inland, is located Richmond Castle, a fine country house in a 42-acre fruit garden estate. Built in 1896, it originally belonged to landowner turned philanthropist NDA Silva Wijayasinghe, the local Padikara Mudaliyar and was used during the British period as a circuit bungalow for officials. This magnificent hybrid of Indian and British architecture was originally a spice plantation mansion, built for the Padikara Mudaliyar, a wealthy regional governor, who copied the plans of an Indian Maharaja's palace designed by a London architect. The audience hall has intricately carved pillars and beams (two shiploads of teak were brought from Burma for its construction), and a spiral staircase leading to a gallery of some fascinating photographs from the time. The house and grounds are open to the public. It makes a good canoeing or bike track with a riverside picnic. |
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| PINNEWELA ELEPHANT ORPHANAGE |
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| Is the home for about 60 elephants, out of which many are baby elephants found, abandoned or orphaned in the wild. Twice a day you may see the elephants being fed and led to the river for bathing. This is the best time to visit. |
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| HERITAGE SITES |
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| From the sacred city of Anuradhapura and the cave temples of Dambulla, to the magnificent temples and palaces of the royal city of Kandy, royal and sacred cities, colonial strongholds, and temple caves abound.
And the Dutch fortification at Galle has the added distinction of being a living World Heritage Site.
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| RATNAPURA |
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| Out of about 200 minerals that are classified as gemstones, around 75 varieties are found in Sri Lanka, making this small island one of the most important geographic locations in the world of gemstones.
The gem-mining centre of Sri Lanka is centred in Ratnapura.Many of the prominent gem dealers in Sri Lanka operate from this town. |
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| MADU GANGA |
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| Madu Ganga, is a beautiful inland lake on a river near Balapitiya. Cruise leisurely through the mangroves and islands. |
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| SINHARAJA RAIN FOREST |
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| Sinharaja Forest is the last remaining portion of rain forest of the country, the forest has now been declared as a protected area.
The forest covers an area of more than 11000ha and is now a World Heritage site |
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| BRIEF GARDENS |
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| Brief developed since 1929, is the house and garden of landscape architect Bevis Bawa. Bevis Bawa died in 1992. It is a hillside garden with excellent views and many sculptures - both by Bevis himself and other artists. The estate was formerly a rubber plantation |
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