Sri Lanka Buddhist Trail Experience

After breakfast, we proceed to Anuradhapura. En route, stop at Dambadeniya Viharaya, an ancient temple in Dambadeniya, which was once the capital city of Sri Lanka during the king’s era. It is an important religious site that reveals the rich culture and traditions of early Sri Lanka (Ceylonese). After arriving in Anuradhapura, we will check in at the hotel, and after some rest, we will start the tour of Anuradhapura with the sunset, as it is hot during the day in this region.

Visit Samadhi Stupa – The Samadhi refers to the enlightenment of the Buddha, which is depicted by the statue with the sitting position of meditation.

The statue is located in the Mahamevnawa Park between the Twin Ponds and Thuparamaya Temple. Statue executed in the Mahaviharatradition art expression ofconcentration is evident in the face. The head hair is arranged intuffs curled clockwise. The chivar (robe) covers only the left shoulder. To develop calmness and enjoy the serenity of the exquisite sculpture, one can focus on the idol from a distance of about eight feet.

Abhyagiriya Buddhist Vihara, the centre of Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, is Abhayagiri Buddhist monastery in Anuradhapura. It’s a primary Buddhist pilgrimage site and is also home tosome of the most extensive ruins in the world. At one point in its history, it was also the royal capital and is known for its beautiful monasteries featured in many ancient legends.

Twin Ponds-Two bathing ponds lined up lengthwise, exemplifying artistic achievements in hydraulic engineering in ancient Sri Lanka.Thuparamaya is one of the oldest documented Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. It is located in the Mahamevana Park and is one of the oldest dagobas built in Sri Lanka, built during King Devanampiyatissa’s reign (247-207 BC) at Jambudip. Back to Resort Dinner and Overnight Stay

Sunrise Tour at Mihintale Vihara: The ruins of Mihintale are closely associated with the early introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. A ceremonial staircase leads past ponds, vihara ruins and rock inscriptions to two large dagobas in 25 minutes. The visit here is done early morning to avoid the afternoon heat.

After the visit, we will return to the resort, have lunch, and rest till evening. This evening, we will visit Swarnamali Stupa (Ruwanweliseya), where your mind and soul experience tranquillity and serenity. Special pooja with flower offerings and meditation get organized. Maha Seya, or Mahathupa, is a Buddhist stupa. It houses the largest collection of relics of Lord Buddha, making it the holiest site of the largest portion of relics of Lord Buddha enshrined in the stupa found anywhere else in the universe. This stupa is an emblem of sanctity and is blessed with the largest portion of Lord Buddha’s relics. It has been worshipped by gods, great kings, Buddhist gurus, and Buddhist monks for centuries.

Jayashree Mahabodhi Lord Gautama Buddha is considered to be a great human being who appeared on earth in human form. He sat under the Jai Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, with his back resting on this tree, and attained Sambodhi, enlightenment. Therefore, the Jai Sri Maha Bodhi of Anuradhapura, the southern branch of that sacred Bodhi Tree, is the second most special reason. Shortly after bringing the Jai Sri Maha Bodhi plant to Sri Lanka, India’s original Bodhi tree was destroyed by Emperor Dharma Asoka’s queen, Thishyarakkha, who followed a different faith. Even after that, the plants that sprouted from the roots of the original tree were destroyed twice due to wars and natural disasters. The Bodhi tree currently in Bodh Gaya is a sacred Bodhi tree of the fourth generation.

However, the Bodhi tree that we will visit in Anuradhapura is the southern branch of the original Bodhi tree under which Gautama Buddha meditated with his back resting on this tree. Therefore, the Jai Sri Maha Bodhi Tree of Anuradhapura is the only sacred relic in the whole world compared to the living Buddha, which was sanctified by the touch of Lord Buddha, which has been sanctified by the touch of the Lord Buddha and was subjected to the homage of the Lord Buddha himself for one whole week through ‘Animisa Lochana Pooja’.The unique feature of this place is that anyone can visit and worship this very holy Bodhi without hindrance. Back to the Resort, Dinner and Overnight stay.

Animisa Lochana Bodhi Tree refers to the act in which the Buddha expressed his gratitude to the Bodhi Tree that provided shade when he attained enlightenment. Extant literature describes it as the Buddha’s second week under the Bodhi Tree after enlightenment. It is believed to be an act in which Buddha showed his gratitude for sheltering him during that great effort by looking at that Bodhi tree without even blinking an eye for a week.

After breakfast, drive to Polonnaruwa to visit the Aukana Buddha statue. Aukana Ancient Rock Temple is a sacred Buddhist temple area with numerous sacred Buddhist relics worth seeing, including Aukana Buddha, a giant Buddha statue carved out of a large rock, a 40-foot-tall statue that exemplifies the nation’s finest ancient sculptural techniques. Local and foreign pilgrims and tourists visit this sacred tourist attraction in Sri Lanka and see the tallest ancient Buddha sculpture in the country. It is a giant Buddha statue carved in the 5th century BC with an exciting history. Here, we can admire and explore the ancient Sri Lankan civilization, culture and exquisite stone art.

Dambulla Golden Cave Temple – Since the 3rd century BC, it has been a place for Buddhist monks living in a magnificent and peaceful forest. These Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temples are located in central Sri Lanka and are living Buddhist sites. The Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temples are considered to be one of the largest and finest Buddhist complexes in the South and Southeast Asian regions throughout the historical period. Given the long-standing traditions associated with living Buddhist ritual practices and continued royal patronage, the caves underwent several renovation programs before assuming their current forms in the 18th century. The vast interior spaces of cave shrines are not divided. However, they are decorated with extraordinary craftsmanship, meticulously arranged sculptures, and magnificent compositions of murals. This purposeful interior layout, devoid of spatial hierarchy and physical divisions, systematically moves devotees from one ritual site to another. The site is notable in the Buddhist world for its association with a continuing tradition of living Buddhist ritual practice and pilgrimage for more than two millennia.

The monastic ensemble of Dambulla is an excellent example of religious art and expression in Sri Lanka and South and Southeast Asia. Cave shrines, painted surfaces, and sculptures are unique in scale and level of preservation. The monastery contains important masterpieces of 18th-century art from the Kandy School of Sri Lanka. Dambulla is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka. It is notable for its association with a tradition of pilgrimage and Buddhist ritual practice that dates back more than two millennia and is widely survived. Check-in at the hotel, have dinner, and rest overnight.

Umandawa is a place full of activities of saffron-robed Buddhist monks and nuns, volunteers, and participants trying to develop their minds. All monks, nuns, and participants enjoy the silence, sitting meditation, repose, relaxation, and thoughtful labour. We will also stay one night in Umandawa.

Today, we will spend the whole day sightseeing and exploring the Global Buddhist Village. During the visit, we will experience meditation, yoga and nature. Pathways of Umandava’s Global Buddhist Village is spread over 70 acres in Malasiripura, Kurunegala. The Thero envisioned a master plan to create an aesthetically pleasing and eco-friendly ‘Walking Monastery’ route with settlements, gravel paths, gardens, organic farms, ponds, large water bodies, and sculptures. The environmental balance of the Global Buddhist Village has been restored by planting rain gardens and growing varieties of plants, including indigenous and exotic Sri Lankan flowers and trees. In this way, wildlife has been encouraged to thrive in Umandawa. The Thero created a healthy, nurturing environment where people could learn to live harmoniously with each other and the earth.

After breakfast, we will depart for Kandy leisurely. On the way, we will stop at the Matale Agro Cultural District and visit the Matale Spice Garden. After getting some rest, we will visit Sri Dalada Maligawa. The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a world-renowned place of worship where Lord Gautama Buddha’s left tooth is enshrined – a temple revered by thousands and millions of local and foreign devotees. The temple is built to the north of the ancient royal palace, to the east by the famous reserve forest Udwatta Kelaya, to the south by the famous Kandy Lake known as the Milky Sea, and to the west by the Guardian God’s Temple. After visiting this holy place, we will start the walking tour to Hill Capital City, enjoy the cultural program and return to the resort for dinner and a night’s rest.

Lankathilaka is considered one of the most magnificent monuments in history. Lankathilaka is unusual in terms of its Buddhist architecture. Instead of the abstract symbolism of stupas, the focus is on giant statues of the Buddha; such giant statues fill entire viharas. Before making our way toEmbekka, we will visit a plantation that grows tea, coffee and black pepper, giving us a glimpse of Sri Lanka’s fertile farmlands.

Embekka is also a Hindu shrine built in the 14th century, famous for its intricately carved wooden pillars and high roofs. The main temple has two sections: the Vedasitina Maligaya temple houses the original deity Mahasena, and the other houses the Digge, or dance hall, and the Hevisi Mandapaya, or drummer (drumming) hall.

Gadoladenia. According to historical evidence, the chief architect of Gadoladenia Viharaya was Ganesvarachari, a South Indian. Due to this, the influence of south Indian art is mainly found in its design. The main shrine, which has typical south Indian art, stands on top of a cliff at the upper end of the shrine premises. Inside, one finds a fine statue of a seated Buddha made by the Makara Torana or Dragon Arch. Around the seated Buddha are many idols of deities like Brahma, Suyama, Santhusthika, Maitri and Nath. Standing statues of Buddha on both sides of the sitting Buddha statue are also spectacular.

The seated Buddha statue embodies the unique style of Buddhist sculpture of the Gampola period. The statue, made of brick with a coating of lime and sand, depicts the Buddha in a pose known as ‘Dhiyama Mudra’ or the highest level of meditation. The body is painted in gold, and the robe is red. Other features that reflect the influence of South Indian Buddhist sculpture include wide-open eyes and wrinkles on the forehead and neck.

Royal Botanical Gardens – This country’s tropical garden is full of mesmerizing beauty of flora and fauna. The spectacular Peradeniya Botanical Garden was established in 1371 AD. Once favoured by Kandyan queens for pleasure, this spectacular garden is surrounded on three sides by a large bend of the Mahaweli River. An 18th-century residence of a Kandyan prince, it became one of the finest botanical gardens in the British Empire in the early 1800s. For a brief period during World War II, it was also used as the headquarters of the Allied Forces for the Asian region. The garden has more than 4,000 different species of plants, considered the best in Asia. After the tour, we will return to the resort, have dinner, and rest for the night.

After breakfast, we will depart for Nuwara Eliya. Upon arrival, we will check in at the hotel. After that, we will tour Nuwara Eliya city and other sightseeing sites, including Lord Ram and Sita temple. After the tour, we will return to the resort, have dinner, and rest for the night.

From Nuwara Eliya, we will travel by train to Ella – also known as Journey through the Clouds and one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world. The transfer vehicle will wait at the train station and take us to the hotel. On the way, we will enjoy the beauty and serenity of Sri Lanka’s central highlands, Nine Arch Bridge, Ravana Falls, etc. We will check in at the hotel in Ella and have dinner and rest for the night.

After breakfast, we will start our journey to Nallathanniya and check in at the resort at 5:00 PM. The walk begins from Nallathaniya to climb to the summit of the “Sri Pada”, a 2,243 m (7,359 ft) tall conical mountain in the southwestern corner of Sri Lanka. Buddhists consider it a beautiful holy place and an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, and this pilgrimage has been recorded in history. Here, we can see and worship the footprint of Buddha’s left foot. Staying at this place for one night, taking a sunrise walk and observing the picturesque scenery from Adam’s Peak will remain in the memory of an unforgettable trip of a lifetime. At Adam’s peak, we can worship the left foot of Lord Buddha.

The Adam’s Peak pilgrimage season (Unduvap Poya Festival) officially starts in December and lasts until April-May (Vesak Poya Festival). If we are lucky or schedule our tour accordingly, we can visit this place with the Full Moon at dawn.

We will return to the resort from Adam’s Peak at 09:00 hrs and depart for Matara after having breakfast. After arriving in Matara, we will check-in at the hotel, have dinner and rest for the night.

After breakfast, we will visit the Galle Dutch Fort,which is famous for its Galle War Fort, which the Portuguese first built, and then the Dutch built their own Galle Dutch Fort after conquering the city of Galle and destroying the fort built by the Portuguese. We will visit here by walking along the paths constructed inside the fort and listening to the stories of the colonial era.

After the Galle Dutch Fort tour, we will take a nature boat ride on the Madu River, giving us a unique experience due to its diverse activities. There are many things to see and experience in this boating tour, including mangrove trees (mangroves are groups of trees and shrubs that grow in coastal areas and areas with low-oxygen soils), fauna and flora, islands in the Madu Ganga, cinnamon production demonstration, Kothuduwa Island temple, fish therapy, and folklife etc. Afterwards, we will visit a turtle hatchery, where we can even release baby turtles into the Indian Ocean.

After visiting the turtle hatchery, we will visit the Kandeviharaya temple. As soon as you reach Kande Viharaya, you will first see the giant Buddha statue. Built on a hilltop in the 18th century, this 160-foot-tall statue of Buddha, seated in the cross-legged (Bhumiparsha mudra), is one of the tallest in the world. After the tour, we will check into the hotel, have dinner and rest for the night.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the Kalutara Bo Temple (Buddhist Stupa) on the banks of the river. It is one of the few Hollow Buddhist stupas on the earth, and its interior contains 74 murals, each depicting a different aspect of the Buddha’s life. Our Sri Lanka tour program ends after the holy visit to this particular stupa. We will spend the rest of the day at the beach or as we wish. After having a farewell dinner in the evening, we will rest for the last night in Sri Lanka.

After breakfast, we will drive to Bandaranaike International Airport, about 76 km away, and board the plane to Kathmandu. We will proceed toward our own destinations as soon as we land at Kathmandu airport.