SRI LANKA
A Tropical Island brimming with rich experiences
Located just off the coast of India, the nation is popularly known as the teardrop of India because of its shape. But that’s not it, it has also earned the title of Pearl of the Indian Ocean due its natural beauty, rich biodiversity and precious gemstones.
Experience the sublime beaches, misty mountains and stunning waterfalls.
The scenic train rides offer a view of the huge tea plantations across the country. Walk through the bustling streets and ride the Tuk-Tuk (auto rikshaw) which comes in all kinds of vibrant colours and if the driver allows, you can even drive one. Set off for this enlightening and enriching journey explore the culture and traditions that date back centuries!
Landscape
The coastline of the Island nation is pristine. Covered with palm trees, the sandy beaches offer you a peaceful day out. The country is a paradise for those who love photography. The lush green jungles, hills, waterfalls, beautiful beaches and massive tea estates are a haven for the photographers.
| Wildlife
From elephants to sloth bears, the diversity makes it one of Asia’s top wildlife destinations. Sri Lanka has 26 National Parks and 2 Marine Parks with Yala National Park being the most popular amongst them. The park has the highest density of leopards in the world and many unique species of birds. |
Cultural Heritage
The cultural triangle encompasses the relics of ancient cities and numerous significant monuments. The triangle consists of the area between three cities: Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. The capital city of Anuradhapura is considered to be established in the 3rd century.Therefore, Sri Lanka has customs and traditions which date back thousands of years. One can see the influences of colonial culture as well, left by the Portugal, the Dutch and the British.
| Religionand Festivals
Though it is officially a Buddhist country, a variety of religions are practiced in Sri Lanka including Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Temple of the sacred tooth relic, Koneswaram temple and Mirisaweti Stupa are some of the most popular religious sites. The festivals provide a perfect opportunity to take part in country’s culture and traditions. DuruthuPerahera, celebrated to commemorate Gautam Buddha’s first visit to the country presents a magnificent spectacle with bejewelled elephants, acrobats, singers, drummers and torch-bearers conjuring up a grand procession.
|
Food
The Sri Lankan cuisine has a distinctive flavourmainly centred around rice and coconut and capped with exotic spices. The rice and curry spread is the most popular here, with the curry being either lentil, vegetable, chicken or fish curry. Kottu is a popular street food having Tamil origins, it usually comes with chopped roti (flatbread) and a spicy sauce on the side. Sri Lanka is famous for its cinnamonwhich is a widely used spice in the local cuisine. Tea is also an important beverage here as the island nation is known for producing some of the world’s finest tea. | Adventure
For the adventure junkies the country offers many water activities such as kitesurfing and para-cycling. The Island is also a popular surfing destination with Arugam Bay being arguably the best spot for surfing. Hiking is another option, the Demodara Rail Hike in Ella is greatfor beginners. Apart from this more experienced hikerscan consider going to Kirigalpotha or the Knuckles Mountain Range, widely regarded as the most beautiful hiking trail in the country. And if you love deep sea diving, you will find one of the best places justoff the coast of Hikkaduwa. In case you wish to do something which is not too extreme, you can always opt for canoeing or kayaking.
|
If you are a first-time traveller, you must keep a few things in mind. Sri Lanka has zero tolerance for Buddha tattoos and finds them offensive so make sure to cover them up while in public places and also ensure that you wear a respectful attire while visiting the temples and shrines. If you wish to get away from the crowd you can steer away from the conventional tourist spots and explore the villages and picturesque landscapes.