Day 1
AIRPORT – ANURADHAPURA
180 km approx.
3 Hrs and 30 min
Aukana old Rock Temple is a holy Buddhist temple location with various valuable sacred remnants, including Aukana Buddha, a giant Buddha statue carved out of a large single rock, towering over 40ft in height and reflecting the nation’s superb old sculpture technology. Both local and foreign pilgrims and visitors visit this important tourist site in Sri Lanka to observe the nation’s tallest ancient standing Buddha statue, carved out magnificently in the 5th century BC and with a fascinating history. Learn about Sri Lanka’s old civilization and culture, as well as its archaic but stunning stone art, here.
Day 2
ANURADHAPURA – POLONNARUWA
110 km approx.
2 hrs
Mahamewna Gardens, a sacred fig tree in Anuradhapura, is a sacred fig tree in Anuradhapura. It is supposed to be the southern branch (right-wing) of the historical Sri Maha Bodhi in India, where Lord Buddha obtained enlightenment. It was planted in 288 BC, making it the world’s oldest known live human-planted tree. It is now one of the most important Buddhist relics in Sri Lanka, and Buddhists all over the globe respect it.
The great king Dutugamunu, who reigned from Anuradhapura from 137 BC to 119 BC, erected Ruwanweli Maha Seya. Ruwanweli Seya temple is Anuradhapura’s most venerated Buddhist site, second only to Sri Maha Bodhi. Although Ruwanweli Maha Seya is not the largest or oldest stupa in Anuradhapura, it is the most treasured by Buddhists, exceeding all other major stupas. It has the largest collection of Gautama Buddha relics of any dagaba on the island.
Mihintale is only 12 km from Anuradhapura, the renowned city. Missaka Pabbatha, a holy forest mountain in Mihintale, is where King Devanampiya Tissa met Arhat Mahinda Thera and his entourage. Lord Gautama Buddha had already visited this place, which was then known as Missaka Pabbatha, during his third visit. This is regarded as one of the most significant sacred locations by Sri Lankan Buddhists as one of the sixteen places (Solosmasthana) visited by Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka.
Day 3
POLONNARUWA – KANDY
140 Km approx.
3 hrs
Due to South Indian invasions and other issues, monks who had fled to India and the hilly areas of Sri Lanka during the difficult period returned to Anuradhapura and decided to transcribe the Tripitaka (philosophical doctrines of Buddhism) for the preservation and use of future generations. The monks chose Matale’s Alu Vihare Rock Temple as the most ideal and safe location for this momentous event. Because of the worry that the philosophy might be lost during the instability caused by recurrent South Indian invasions, this transcription was carried out. 500 knowledgeable monks are supposed to have gathered at Aluvihare Rock temple to begin the onerous job of reciting the teachings and settling on an acceptable version before transcribing.
The entire transcribing was done on ola leaf books known locally as puskola poth. These books were fashioned of thick strips of palmyra or talipot-palm leaves, and the doctrines were inscribed in the Pali language.
The Temple of the Tooth Relic: Kandy is home to the Sri Dalada Maligawa, or Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. It was constructed within the royal palace complex, which includes one of the two remaining remnants of Buddha’s tooth, an object of Buddhist reverence, making the temple probably the most holy Buddhist shrine in the world. It is revered not just by Buddhists in Sri Lanka, but also by Buddhists worldwide.
Dambulla Golden Rock Temple, also known as Dambulla Cave Temple, is a historic temple location in central Sri Lanka famed for its various time-worn caverns, rock temples, statues, paintings, and murals. The Dambulla Cave Temples cover acres of land and are one of Sri Lanka’s best-preserved mediaeval structures. This is the largest cave temple complex in the country, located 148 km east of Colombo.
Day 4
KANDY – NUWARA ELIYA
100 Km approx.
2 hrs and 30 min
Ramboda features beautiful landscape and uncommon birds that coo in the deep woodlands. Overall, a visit to Ramboda Falls will transport you to a natural paradise. The flowing streams and their noises, as they snap against the rocks, are breathtaking. Pussellawa, in central Sinhala province, has locals who greet guests with open arms. Ramboda Falls provides a one-of-a-kind, non-commercial encounter with nature.
Lake Gregory, near Nuwara Eliya, was constructed in 1873. Gregory Lake is likewise a marsh that has been turned into a lovely lake. Every year, a big number of people come to the lake for enjoyment. The lake is in the center of the city.
People may now enjoy pleasant picnics at a lake park. This lake’s splendour will take your breath away. You may also get gorgeous photographs shot here to create long-lasting memories.
Day 5
NUWARA ELIYA – COLOMBO
250 km approx.
6 hrs
Gangarama Temple: Established over 120 years ago 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, popularly known as the Kelaniya Temple, is a Buddhist temple in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, seven miles from Colombo. The Chief Incumbent (Chief Priest) is the Venerable Professor Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera.
Buddhists believe Buddha blessed the temple on his third and final visit to Sri Lanka, eight years after achieving enlightenment. As a result, its history dates back to 500 BCE.
The first stupa in Kelaniya, according to the Mahawansa, featured a gem-studded seat on which the Buddha sat and lectured.
The temple prospered throughout the Kotte era, but much of its territory was seized under Portuguese rule. However, further land endowments were given under Dutch rule, and the temple was renovated under the patronage of King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha. Helena Wijewardana helped to refurbish it in the early part of the twentieth century.
The temple is especially famous for its reclining Buddha image and paintings by local artist Solias Mendis representing significant events in the Buddha’s life, the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, and scenes from the Jataka stories. It holds the Duruthu Maha Perehera parade every January.
Day 6
We offer you farewell as our Chauffeur Guide transports you to the airport for your return flight home, for all good things must come to an end.