One of the best trekking sites when on
Sri Lanka holidays is the old medieval city of Polonnaruwa. This city was declared the capital and the seat of power of King Vijayabahu I, the king who defeated Chola invaders in 1070 CE. Today it is home to several archaeological sites. It is also famous as the backdrop in some scenes of the music video for the Duran Duran song “Save a Prayer.” Because of its historical and archaeological value, the city is declared a UNESCO heritage site.
One of the prime attractions of the trek is the large statue carved into a cliff in Gal Vhariya. Actually, there are four statues of Buddha in the site. The archaeological sites in the area are mostly ruins and relics, including the Gedige Lankathilaka which feature an 18-meter statue of the Buddha and a bas relief sculpture in its exterior. Polonnaruwa is also home to the Parakrama Samudraya Lake, which served as the irrigation tank under the king Parakramabahu I, feeding about 18,200 acres of paddy land. The lake still serves this purpose up to this day.
Another good spot to visit on
Sri Lanka trips is Kandy, possibly Sri Lanka’s most beautiful city, Kandy is historically the last city where the Sinhala Kings held power. Its main attraction is the Temple of the Tooth. The best time to visit Kandy is during the parade of the golden caskets in July or August of every year. The festival also shows a parade of live elephants, as well as human dancers, drummers and village chieftains. When visiting the temple of the Tooth, make sure to adhere to the dress code as this is considered a holy place for the Sri Lankans.
Touring Kandy will also show you the old Royal Palace compound, located right beside the Temple of the Tooth. You can see where the Queen as well as the King’s royal concubines slept in their separate quarters. You can also see the armory of the king’s men, as well as the council chambers where the ruler met with his advisors and generals. The Royal Palace is now used as a museum, with the council chambers itself showcasing an example of the wooden architectural style of the period.
Other spots in Kandy include the Gadaladeniya Temple with its South Indian architecture, the Embekke Temples with its 14th century carvings that are dedicated to the god Kataragama, the Hindu shrines, the Buddhist temples and the 40-hectare Royal Botanical Gardens which has the best tropical plant life in the island, a real must see on all
Sri Lanka tours.
