Introduction
Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and much more…
Things not to miss while you travel through the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka.
The dry, flat area northeast of the Hill Country, bounded by Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, is known as the Cultural Triangle.
The region covers Sri Lanka’s most famous cultural and archaeological sites – some dating back 2.500 years and containing the remains of the Sinhalese civilisation, which grew through the centuries under the influence of Buddhism. At the heart of this triangle is Dambulla, perhaps the best base for exploring the sites, along with Habarana, which offers a wide range of accommodation options. To the south, Kandy is also a possible starting point for exploring this region, with lots of places to stay.
DO NOT MISS IN THE CULTURAL TRIANGLE OF SRI LANKA:
- The extensive ruins of the former capitals, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa
- The climb up the giant rock fortress of Sigirya
- Dambulla’s cave paintings and Buddha statues
- The wooded walk through the ruins of Ritigala
- A Hot-Air Balloon experience, flying over the Kandalama lake and Dambulla area
1. Anuradhapura, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka
Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, world famous for its well preserved ruins of the Great Sri Lankan Civilization. The Civilisation which was built upon this city was one of the greatest of Asia and in the world. The city is now a UNESCO heritage site. Founded in the 4th century BC, it was the capital of the Anuradhapura Kingdom until the beginning of the 11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centres of political power and urban life in South Asia. It was also a wealthy city, which created a unique culture and a great civilisation. Today this ancient city of Sri Lanka, which is sacred to the Buddhist world, with its surrounding monasteries covers an area of over sixteen square miles (40 sq km) and is one of the world’s major archaeological sites.
2. Mihintale
Mihintale is named as Mahindha’s hill in Sinhalese. It is a 1000 feet high mountain range. Very explorative climb to witness an excellent view from the rock, Mihintale was the place where Buddhism was originated for Sri Lankans. It happened in 247 BC, when King Devanam Piyatissa was converted by Mahinda, the son of Buddhist emperor Ashoka into Buddhism.
Sites to visit in Mihintale:
- The Hospital
- The climb up to the 1,840 granite Steps
- The first Terrace (Kanaka Chetiya)
- The Second Terrace (the Relic House & Monks refectory)
- The Sacred Centre (Ambasthala Dagoba)
- Mahaseya Dagoba
- Mahinda’s Cave
- Aradhana Gala
- Naga Pokuna
- Et Vihara
- Indi katu seya Compound
- Kalu diya Pokuna
3. Polonnaruwa Ruins
The second most ancient of Sri Lanka’s kingdoms, Polonnaruwa, was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 AD to reunite the country once more under a local leader. While Vijayabahu’s victory and shifting of Kingdoms to the more strategic Polonnaruwa is considered significant, another important Polonnaruwa figure of the history books is his grandson, Parakramabahu I. In 1982, UNESCO added this ancient city to its World Heritage list.
Sites to visit in Polonnaruwa:
- The Chapter House & Sathmahal prasada
- Vatadage (Guard Stones, Wing Stones & Moon Stones)
- Hatadage (Moon Stones & Buddha Statues)
- Atadage (House of the 8 relics, Excellent Pillars)
- Gal pota (Book of Stone & it weighs around 25 tons. Its inscriptions tell the works of Nissankamalla)
- Nissankalatha Mandapaya (a Dagoba Built by King Nissankamalla to listen to chartings of scriptures)
- Bo Tree Shrine
- Thuparama (An impressive gedige with some Buddha Statues)
- Patimaghara (The ruins here have a reclining Buddha)
- Northern Monuments (Alahana Parivena, Manik Vihare, Rankoth Vihare & Lankathilake) are to be found out of the city wall.
- Gal Vihara: 4 Buddha statues carved in a granite rock. One Statue is a reclining (14 m), one is standing (7m) and other two are seated.
Do not miss also the Archaelogical Museum of Polonnaruwa, open from 9 am to 6pm. Each of its room is dedicated to a particular theme, with scale models of buildings, including the Vatadage. The Museum explains also the history of the stunning water engineering and irrigation projects that the ancient kings managed to build in this dry area of Sri Lanka.
4. Sigiriya, The Lion’s Rock
According to the popular knowledge, the story goes that this was the fortress of King Kasyapa who ruled between AD477 and 495 and allegedly built a garden and a palace on the summit of the rock. According to this theory, King Kasyapa killed his own father (King Dathusena) by plastering him alive to the wall in order to rule his father’s throne. Then, his half brother (Moggallan) returned from India after 18 Years and – as an attempt to keep his kingdom – Kasyapa came down to battle Moggallan’s army. During the battle, Kasyapa thought his army left him. So he pulled his own dagger and slit his own throat and placed the dagger back in his case.
After Moggallan’s rule, the Palace was inhabited by monks up until 1,155 AD. Sigiriya also has some excellent views all around, that worth the climb right to the top. Sigiriya contains the ruins of an ancient palace complex. It is one of the seven World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka, declared by UNESCO in 1982 and is one of its most popular tourist destinations.
Sights:
- The Royal Gardens: the first major feature once you enter the site;
- The Frescoes on Sigiriya Rock, showing nymphs or Kasyapa’s concubines, according to the version. Some versions affirm that they represent the aspect of Tara, of the most important figures in Tantric Buddhism;
- The Mirror Wall;
- The Lion’s Pawns, at the second base of the rock, right before the steep climb;
- The Summit
Do not miss the Sigiriya Museum, open from 8.30 am to 5.30pm, included in the Sigiriya Entry Fee. This museum shows displays and models and it is an excellent introduction to the site: we recommend to visit it before climbing the rock.
5. Ritigala and Aukana
Ritigala is a widespread monastic and cave compound. There are many stories about Ritigala. Monks found Ritigala as a hide-‐away place away from the world. There are more than 70 caves that have been discovered. Hanuman (the Monkey King) jumped from this spot to India, to tell Rama that Sita was held by the King of Lanka. The Mythical story tells that Hanuman dropped some Himalayan herbs on his way back from Rama’s brother over Ritigala. According to the popular belief, there are many healing herbs still to be found in Ritigala.
Aukana is one of the top elegant statues in Sri Lanka that is carved from a single rock. It is a 12m High Statue, which was sculpted in the 5 th Century AD; some say it was built during the 12th or 13th Century AD. The gesture of Buddha here is Ashiva Mudraya and signifies blessings. The fire above his head represents the power of total enlightenment.
6. Dambulla Cave Temple
The Dambulla Caves were a place of refuge for King Valagambahu, when he was driven out from Anuradhapura for 14 years. However, after he regained his kingship in
Anuradhapura, he turned the caves into a fabulous cave temple. Further improvements were done during the 11th, 12th and 13th Century. There are 5 separate caves, which have 150 Buddha Images.
Things to see at Dambulla Cave Temple:
- Cave 1 – Deva Raja (King of the Gods) Temple: 15 m long reclining Buddha, Annanda the Most loyal disciple of Buddha and other statues are nearby.
- Cave 2 – Maharaja (Great King) Temple: the Cave is named after the 2 statues of kings, this bigger cave is around 25 sq m and 7 m high. The Buddha Statue facing
the entrance is in abaya mudra, under a dragon arch. - Cave 3 – Maha Aluth (Great New) Temple: Supposed to be a store room from the 18th century, when King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe was ruling. It has plenty of Buddha statues and images.
- Cave 4 – Pascima (Western) Temple: The Smallest cave, and was the most western one until the 5th Cave appeared western to the 4th Cave. The Buddha under the dragon arch has a dhiyana mudra (see the Hand, a Meditating Position). The Stupas here were broken by thieves who stole Queen Somawathie’s jewellery.
- Cave 5 – Devana Aluth (Second New) Temple: The newest temple, once it was a store room. Buddha Figures, with some Hindu influences, including Kataragama God and Vishnu.
TIP: Start from the farthest cave from the entrance and progress towards the first. The impact and increasing beauty of its art and carvings will leave you speechless!