Ambuluwawa Tower – Experience the Architectural Marvel! – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Website: www.Doctorharold.com Hello Viewers, Thank you for taking the time to visit my channel. Today, I’ll show you a hilly area in the Gampola district of Sri Lanka. You’ll drive along a winding road to reach an elevated point where a tall tower is located. This spot is a popular tourist attraction, drawing hundreds of visitors daily. The village is called Ambuluwawa.Today, let me take you to a wonderful architectural marvel in Ambuluwawa, in the heart of Sri Lankan’s central highlands. Embarking on this journey, you’ll find yourself on Gampola Road, just an hour’s drive from the Hill Capital, Kandy. Instead of taking the left turn at the petrol station roundabout in Gampola to the famous Nuwara Eliya, the misty City, you’ll proceed straight on Nawalapitiya Road. As you pass the main township of Gampola, a right turn ...

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Historical and Cultural Significance of Kandy Perahera Source : Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – July 2024 Kandy Perahera, also known as the Esala Perahera, is one of the most magnificent and revered cultural festivals in Sri Lanka. Held annually in the city of Kandy, this procession is a vivid spectacle that highlights the rich tapestry of Sri Lankan history, spirituality, and cultural heritage. Image Source : news The origins of Kandy Perahera date back to the 3rd century BCE, linked to the arrival of the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha in Sri Lanka. According to tradition, the tooth relic was brought to the island by Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha, safeguarding it from political turmoil in India. This relic has since become one of the most venerated objects in Buddhism, symbolizing the Buddha’s presence and spiritual legacy. The Perahera itself emerged as a means to honor the relic and ...

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When you visit Tissamaharama (Tissa) – By Harold Gunatillake Website:www.Doctorharold.com Yala is home to majestic creatures— playful elephants, elusive leopards, and a symphony of bird calls. Each sighting is a heart-pounding moment, a pure and profound connection with nature.” “Welcome back, adventurers! Today, we’re embarking on a thrilling journey to the wild heart of Sri Lanka—Yala National Park, a sanctuary where the jungle meets the ocean, and Tissamaharama, a town steeped in history and the gateway to Yala’s wilderness.” Our journey from Kandy to Ella, via the Victoria Dam Road through Badulla, was pleasant. We found solace in the comfortable embrace of the Oak Ray Gap Hotel, where we spent a restful night. Our adventure begins with a scenic drive to Tissamaharama, affectionately known as Tissa. While some may overlook this town, it’s the perfect staging ground for our safari, offering a glimpse into the local life and culture.” As ...

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Castle Hill Bungalow: A Legacy of Hospitality – By Dr Harold Gunatillake The Castle Hill Bungalow has been recently renovated, and the interior has been modernised. The hotel provides a high comfort level due to excellent service and a wide range of amenities “Nestled in the heart of Kandy, the cultural capital of Sri Lanka, lies a historical gem with a story as rich as the city itself. Welcome to Castle Hill Bungalow, a boutique bungalow that has stood the test of time, witnessing the ebb and flow of history.” “Built-in 1928 during the English reign in Sri Lanka, Castle Hill Bungalow was initially owned by an Englishman, Christobel Joliffe. Its colonial architecture and sprawling gardens speak volumes of its past grandeur.” “The bungalow found its Sri Lankan roots when it was sold to E.R. Senanayake, a distinguished aristocrat of Kandy, whose family played a pivotal role in the country’s ...

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Vibrant Food Fest and Celebrations in Kandy, honouring the Noble Teacher – Lord Buddha. – By Dr Harold Gunatillake Website: www.Doctorharold.com Hello viewers, Today, on the 23rd of May, in the Theravada tradition, Gautama Buddha was born, enlightened, and died, referred to as Paranirvana. This day is also known as Wesak. It is a time when the vibrant streets of Kandy come alive, filled with the scent of incense and the sound of chants as the city celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Noble Teacher-Lord Buddha. With its rich cultural heritage, Kandy is where one of his relic teeth is venerated, making it a significant location for Buddhists. The Wesak festival is, unique to Kandy also features a Perahera, a grand procession with well-dressed elephants, Kandyan dances, and other items, parading through the streets of Kandy, further honouring the noble one.The streets are adorned with beautiful decorations, creating ...

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Stories Behind Names of Places in Sri Lanka – ALAGALLA – By Dr Nimal Sedara Source : Dæhæna – March 2024 Alagalla is near Mawanella on the Kandy – Colombo Road. Alagalla mountain is a popular spot for the hill climbers in Sri Lanka and many a mountain climbing competitions are often held here. When descending from the hill capital Kandy this mountain appears very beautiful. A regular climb happens here for the Independence Day of Sri Lanka, the 4th of February Often, there are more than one story behind the formation of names of places. I will relate only one of them pertaining to ALAGALLA. The story is based on a family, where the mother- in- law and the daughter-in-law had disputes. Though the mother-in-law did not like the daughter-in-law very much she tolerated her as she was the wife of her only child. The family had enough wealth to ...

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Nelligala International Buddhist Center – By Malsha – eLanka Nelligala Temple, also known as the Nelligala International Buddhist Center, stands as a serene sanctuary atop a hill in the Kandy District of Sri Lanka. A modern marvel, this temple was erected in 2015, drawing locals and travelers alike with its striking architecture and breathtaking vistas. One notable addition to its allure is the newly erected Sumana Saman Statue, which has sparked considerable attention. The temple is perched near the small town of Muruthalawa, with its conception and design inspired by the vision of Rev. Wathurakumbure Dhammarathna Thero. Notably, the ongoing project of Kuragala, guided by Dhammarathna Thero, further enriches the spiritual landscape of the area. What was once dense forest land has now been transformed into an International Buddhist center and a flourishing tourist destination. Reaching Nelligala Temple offers multiple routes for travelers. Those originating from Kandy City can opt ...

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Duruthu Poya Day Celebration in Kandy. – By Dr harold Gunatillake On January 25th this year, Sri Lanka celebrated the Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day. This festival falls on the first full moon in January, commemorating Gautama Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka. It is an important religious and historical event in Sri Lanka’s calendar, as it occurred in the ninth month after the Buddha attained Enlightenment. During his visit, the Buddha travelled to Mahiyanganaya in the Uva Province of Sri Lanka, where he gave sermons to two warring tribes to end their conflicts. The tribes listened to his teachings and stopped fighting with each other, and instead began to treat each other with respect. The local God, Sumana Saman, was impressed by the Buddha’s teachings and invited him to leave his sacred footprint on the peak of Samanala Mountain, which is now known as Adam’s Peak. To this day, ...

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Sandagiri Maha Seya – largest stupa in Kandy – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Image Source : Sandagiri Maha Seya Hanthana Facebook Situated in close proximity to the 850-meter pass of *Hanthana-Uduwela road (from Kandy to Galaha) and approximately 1.7 kilometer from *Ceylon Tea Museum, Sandagiri Maha Seya can be reached after passing a steep and winding road along with breathtaking vistas of the surroundings… “Giri” meaning “hill” or “mountain” and Sanda (derived from Sanskrit “Sandra” meaning “thick” or “dense” (can refer to a thicket or dense forest as an abode of hermits), meaning “thick grove”, “dense wood”, “heap” or “multitude”. Hence, “Sandagiri” can either be translated to “forested mountain” or to a “heap on a hill”. Both meanings can be referred to a huge dome in the forests of the *Hanthana Mountain Range. Sandagiri Maha Seya is a prominent landmark in the hills of Kandy and a breathtaking site visited by large ...

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More Indian Tourists are lured to visit the splendid island. – By Dr Harold Gunatillake The tourism industry is optimistic about achieving more than 1.55 million arrivals by the end of the year. The Science of Taste is revolutionising Sri Lanka’s culinary scene, which is driving the creation of new and innovative dishes. This is because the tourist minister targets more than 1.5 million tourists to arrive in 2023 during November and December months and beyond. Sri Lanka tourist venture targets more Indian tourists coming to Sri Lanka, which is how the trend goes. Statistics reveal that this year, though Indian tourists hit the target, tourists arriving from Russia, China, France, Germany, Finland, and other parts of Europe lured Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is on the rise, with more Indian tourists being attracted to the island each year. The culinary scene in Sri Lanka is also evolving, with ...

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