- Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress - Since the 3rd century BC, Sigiriya served as a monastery, and after eight centuries, it was transformed into a royal palace. The early history and construction of Sigiriya’s palace and fortress are intertwined with the tragic events involving two royal brothers, Kasyapa and Moggallana. King Kasyapa (477-495 AD) unlawfully seized the throne, forcing the rightful heir, Maggallana, to flee to India. Fearing an attack from his brother, Kasyapa relocated the capital from Anuradhapura to central Sri Lanka and built a royal palace atop a high rock to prevent an invasion by Maggallana. Sigiriya was constructed using the most advanced technologies of the time and was lavishly adorned with colorful frescoes.
- Pidurangala Rock - The UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya (Lion Rock) in Sri Lanka offers a stunning view and is one of the most visited sites in the country. However, there’s a view to rival it at Pidurangala Vihara (Sinhala: පිදුරංගල විහාරය), an ancient Buddhist temple located in the village of Pidurangala in the Matale District. The temple was built on a massive rock called Pidurangala, situated a few kilometers north of the historic Sigiriya fortress.
- Dambulla Royal Cave Temple - The Dambulla cave temple (Sinhalese: Dam̆būlū Len Vihāraya, Tamil: Tampuḷḷai Poṟkōvil), also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, is a World Heritage Site (1991) in central Sri Lanka. Located 148 kilometers (92 mi) east of Colombo, 72 kilometers (45 mi) north of Kandy, and 43 kilometers (27 mi) north of Matale, Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 meters above the surrounding plains and there are over 80 documented caves in the area. The main attractions are spread across five caves, which contain statues and paintings related to Gautama Buddha and his life. There are 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings, and four statues of gods and goddesses, including Vishnu and Ganesha.
- Bottled water
- Driver & Guide
- Lunch
- Entry/Admission - Dambulla Royal Cave Temple
- Entry/Admission - Pidurangala Rock
- Entry/Admission - Sigiriya The Ancient Rock Fortress
The Dambulla rock stands 160 meters tall and is encircled by over 80 documented caves. Among these, five prominent caves house the main attractions, featuring numerous statues and paintings depicting the life of Buddha. These caves differ in size and splendor, and include four statues of deities, such as Vishnu and Ganesha.
In the 1st century BCE, King Walagamba transformed the caves into a temple. After being exiled from Anuradhapura, he took refuge here for 15 years to escape South Indian invaders. Upon regaining his capital, the King constructed a temple in gratitude. Subsequent kings continued to enhance it, and by the 11th century, the caves had evolved into a significant religious hub. In 1190 AD, King Nissankamalla gilded the caves and added approximately 70 Buddha statues. The Kandyan Kings restored and painted the caves during the 18th century.
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