Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a unique and popular attraction in Sri Lanka. Located in the village of Pinnawala in Sabaragamauwa Province, about 90 kilometers northeast of Colombo, the orphanage is home to a large number of rescued elephants (around 80) that have been given a second chance at life. The elephants are taken care of by a team of dedicated caretakers and are a major tourist attraction in Sri Lanka.

The distance from Bandaranaike International Airport (also known as Katunayaka Airport) to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is approximately 95 kilometers (59 miles), and it takes about 2.5–3 hours to travel by road, depending on traffic conditions. The distance from Kandy to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is approximately 36 kilometers (22 miles), and it takes about 1–1.5 hours to travel. 

History and Background

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was established in 1975 by the Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife Conservation. The main objective of the orphanage was to care for orphaned and injured elephants that were found in the wild. Over the years, the orphanage has become a sanctuary for elephants that have been abandoned, injured, or are too old to be released back into the wild.

The orphanage is home to over 80 elephants, making it the largest captive herd of elephants in the world. The herd includes both young and old elephants, and visitors can witness the daily routines of these magnificent creatures.

A unique experience

Visiting the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a unique and unforgettable experience. Visitors can participate in the daily feeding, bathing, and playing routines of the elephants. The elephants are fed milk and fruit three times a day, and visitors can watch as the baby elephants guzzle down their bottles of milk. The morning feeding time is 8.30 am to 10am. 

The highlight of the visit is the daily elephant bath, where the elephants are taken down to the nearby river called ‘Ma Oya’ for a refreshing dip. Visitors can watch as the elephants splash around in the water, playfully squirting water at each other. There are two bathing times: the morning and the evening. The morning bathing time starts around 10 a.m., and the evening bathing time starts around 2 p.m. The orphanage closes around 6 p.m., and visitors will not be allowed to enter after 5 p.m.

Conservation Efforts

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage plays a crucial role in elephant conservation in Sri Lanka. The orphanage provides a safe haven for elephants that have been abandoned or injured in the wild, and cannot be released back into the wild. The orphanage also engages in breeding programs, with the aim of increasing the elephant population in Sri Lanka.

In addition, the orphanage conducts research on elephant behavior and biology, with the aim of improving the welfare of elephants in captivity. The orphanage also works closely with local communities, educating them on the importance of elephant conservation and promoting responsible tourism.

 

Ticket Prices (in 2021) 

For Foreign Visitors:

  • Adults: LKR 3,500
  • Children (3-12 years): LKR 1,750

For SAARC Visitors:

  • Adults: LKR 2,000
  • Children (3-12 years): LKR 1,000

For Local Visitors:

  • Adults: LKR 500
  • Children (3-12 years): LKR 250

 

Conclusion

The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a must-visit attraction in Sri Lanka. It offers a unique and memorable experience, allowing visitors to witness the daily routines of rescued elephants. While the orphanage plays a crucial role in elephant conservation, it is important to ensure that the welfare of the elephants is not compromised. Visiting the orphanage can be a responsible and ethical way to support elephant conservation efforts in Sri Lanka. 

 

Coconut Tree Hills in Mirissa

Coconut Tree Hills is a recently famous tourist attraction in Sri Lanka, where it is situated in the Mirissa area of the Southern Province. The picture of this place will definitely come up on Google Images when someone is searching “Sri Lanka.” It is a nice little dome-shaped hill surrounded by palm trees. Coconut Tree Hills is a place that you should not miss during your southern Sri Lanka tour.

Mirissa is a popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka, with most visitors coming to surf at Mirissa Beach. It’s also a great place to see whales in the Indian Ocean. Along with these things, you should not miss the Coconut Tree Hills as well. You can observe this little mountain from Mirissa Beach without any trouble.

 

There are two major routes to reach Coconut Tree Hills from Mirissa town:

1) Through Mirissa Beach

2) Through Bandaramulla Temple

Most tourists and visitors reach the place through Mirissa Beach. As soon as you reach the beach, you need to walk towards the left and should walk a few meters until you pass a few bays. Then you can get to the location and identify it from afar. Parrot Rock is another little hill you will meet during that walk. It is another place that is nice if you can reach it. You can observe Mirissa Beach from that little mountain too.

If you are driving or are too lazy to walk along the beach, you can reach the location via Bandaramulla Temple. However, you need to walk on a difficult road to reach the place, whether you choose any of the above routes.

Coconut Tree Hills is a privately owned coconut farm that is open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You do not need to bring a ticket to enter. After you reach it, you will observe an amazing view of the Indian Ocean. The place is fully covered with palm trees, and you can capture stunning photographs to publish on Instagram. The blowing sea breeze will make you more comfortable and help you relax.

The place is normally crowded every day with locals and foreigners. But if you can go there in the early morning, you can observe stunning pictures of the sunrise in a less crowded environment. Anything before 9 a.m. is less crowded, which you should note before your visit. The sunset time is also a superb time to be on Coconut Tree Hills. The climate report explains that October through December is the rainy season in the area. As a result, the best time to visit here is from January to May. Another thing to keep in mind is that the beach is closed from May to September during the monsoon season.

So, we request that you visit Coconut Tree Hills during your next visit to Mirissa. Take some stunning shots there, and don’t forget to tag them with the username @mahaweli.lk on Instagram.

 

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(Cover Image Source: Wonder Discovery from FB)

Dondra Head Lighthouse

Dondra Head Lighthouse in Matara

Dondra Head Lighthouse is situated in the Dewinuwara of the Southern Province, Sri Lanka. It is considered the southmost point of the island which is situated 6km from the Matara. The Dondra Head Lighthouse is considered the tallest lighthouse in Sri Lanka and one of the tallest lighthouses in Southeast Asia.

The lighthouse is managed by the Sri Lanka Port Authority. It is open to visitors, but you should get special permission to visit its balcony. The view looks breathtaking, and you can observe the calmness of the Indian Ocean and many other land areas of the Matara region.

The height of the lighthouse is 49 meters (160 feet). But the light’s focal height is 47 m. Overall, it contains seven floors and 14 windows. Further, Dondra Head Lighthouse is considered one of the four international lighthouses in Sri Lanka. Electricity is used to power the lighthouse, where its range is 52 km (32 miles).

The construction of this lighthouse was commenced in 1887 and completed in 1889. The initial design was made by Sir James Nicholas Douglass. But the construction was done by William Douglass. All the construction materials, including bricks and steel, were imported from the UK.

The place is a superb spot for travelers who visit southern Sri Lanka. Therefore, we request that you don’t miss this place when you are traveling to Matara, Mirissa, Weligama, or any other area of the Matara area.

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(Image Source: Anna Franci from Facebook) 

Hike to Pidurangala Rock in Sigiriya

Sigiriya View from Pidurangala Rock

Pidurangala Rock is another famous tourist attraction in the Sigiriya area. It is a 360-degree viewpoint with a nice little hike to follow. The view of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress from Pidurangala Rock is simply breathtaking, and we believe you’ve seen it while searching for images of Sri Lanka on Google Images.

Pidurangala Rock is not as famous as Sigiriya Rock. But it is a superb destination that you should also visit during your tour of Sigiriya. It is located 2 kilometers to the north of the rock fortress. The hike will start from the Pidurangala Raja Maha Viharaya, where the initial part of the hike is not very difficult. In the beginning, there is a clear and nice footpath. After that, you will meet the Pidurangala cave temple and the ancient ruins around it. Historians believe that the ruins date back more than 2000 years. They also believe the entire area was a monastery before King Kashyapa came to Sigiriya in the 5th century AD.

After the cave temple, your hike will become much harder, and you will have to cross some difficult spots. The route is easy to find thanks to the man-made red arrow signs. Anyhow, your route is along the large boulders. If you are an experienced hiker, it will only take you around 30 minutes to climb this rock. But if you are a lazy hiker, then it will take you around 45 to 60 minutes to reach the top.

The view from Pidurangala Rock is absolutely fabulous. It is an ideal spot to take some rare images. From there, you can observe most parts of the Central and North-Central provinces of Sri Lanka. The best time to visit there is at sunrise and sunset. These times allow you to take your best shots.

As a visitor, you should buy a ticket to enter Pidurangala Rock. It is open from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is no water source on the top; therefore, you should bring enough water with you.

Finally, we suggest that you don’t forget this place during your travels to Sigiriya Rock Fortress or Dambulla Cave Temple.

 

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(Cover Image Source: @ParadiseSrilanaka 

Nuwara Eliya Post Office

Nuwara Eliya Post Office

The Nuwara Eliya Post Office is a popular tourist attraction in Nuwara Eliya. It is situated in the center of the city, where you can reach it easily. The post office is considered one of the oldest post offices in Sri Lanka. It was inaugurated in 1894 by the British.

The Tudor Revival architecture has been used in the development of this building. It looks very beautiful when you are seeing it from a distance. The red bricks were used in the construction. Its clock tower, which you can see in the corner of the building, also attracts visitors.

Sri Lanka Post issued a Rs 10 stamp on December 20, 1990, to commemorate World Post Day. On that stamp, a photograph of this building was included. In 2012, the upper floor of this building was converted into accommodation for tourists. Before that, it was used by former postmasters as quarters.

If you are a traveler who explores the hill country of Sri Lanka, then we request that you visit the Nuwara Eliya Post Office during your Nuwara Eliya tour.

Seetha Amman Kovil in Nuwara Eliya

Seetha Amman Kovil

Seetha Amman Kovil, or someone called “Seetha Amman Temple,” is a famous tourist attraction in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. It is 5 kilometers from Nuwara Eliya and 1 kilometer from the famous Hakgala Botanical Garden. Therefore, you can visit Seetha Amman Kovil during your Nuwara Eliya tour or Hakgala Botanical Garden visit. The village is called “Seetha Eliya,” and it is near the Hakgala Mountain.

It is the only Hindu temple in Sri Lanka that was dedicated to Princess Seetha. People believe the place is special where it combines with the epic tale of Ramayanaya.

 

History of Seetha Amman Kovil

King Ravana has captured Indian Princess Seetha, according to the Indian epic Ramayana. He took the princess to Sri Lanka and kept her as his prisoner. This happened almost 5000 years ago. The Hakgala region is thought to be one of the locations in Sri Lanka where King Ravana held captive Princess Seetha.

The nearby stream to the Kovil, according to the story, catered to Princess Seetha’s needs when she spent her days here. Later, Lord Hanuman found the princess. But King Ravana captured Hunaman and burned his tail. He was then burned alive with his tail. Now, the people believe the dark color of the soil comes from when the Hunuman burned the area. They also think the circular depressions on some rocks in the stream are because of Hanuman’s footprints.

There were no Kovils at first. But later, people made the Kovil by respecting Princess Seetha. There, you can see South Indian architecture on the Seetha Amman Kovil.

 

More facts about the Temple

Seetha Amman Kovil is open every day, and visitors can participate in pujas. There are two main puja times. The morning session continues from 8 a.m. to 1pm. The evening session runs from 2 to 6 p.m. You are no need to buy tickets to enter. It is fully free. In any case, you can donate to the Kovil. You can also find this place easily when you are traveling on the Badulla-Nuwara Eliya road.

If you are a traveler who loves to explore Ramayanaya locations in Sri Lanka, then you should definitely not miss this place. It is 10 minutes from Nuwara Eliya. Therefore, you can come here very easily. As well, don’t forget to visit Seetha Amman Kovil with your full devotion.

 

Some Photos of the Seetha Amman Temple

Seetha Amman Kovil  

 

(Image Source; Facebook.com and Credit should go to the original owners)

 

 

Lipton’s Seat in Haputale

Lipton's Seat

Lipton’s Seat is a popular high observation point in Sri Lanka among local and foreign travelers. It is situated at the top of the Poonagala Hills at an elevation of 1970m. This is also a viewpoint from which you can observe five major provinces in Sri Lanka. The route to Lipton’s seat is absolutely beautiful with greenish tea estates. We can suggest that it is another must-visit place near the Ella tourism city.

 

Location

Lipton’s seat is situated in the Badulla district of Uva Province. Haputale and Poonagala are the closest town to the area. Distance to here from Haputale is 16km and from Ella is 27km. There are two major routes to reach the place.

  • Bandarawela, Poonagala and through Nayabedda Estate
  • Hapuatale and through dambethenna tea estate

 

Those two routes are very scenic with lush and greenish tea plantations. It’s no matter whether you select one from them,

If you are starting from Ella, then the Poonagala – Nayabedda route is ideal for you. The surround is amazing to watch. Tuk Tuk is the most suitable vehicle for this route and it takes around 1 ½ hours to reach there. If you come from Colombo or from the Upcountry railway, then the Haputale-Dambethenna route should be your selection. The public transport busses are available on that route. But Tuk Tuk or a scooter are the most ideal vehicle for too this route. It also takes one hour to reach the destination.

However, you should buy a ticket to enter the Lipton’s seat. After the entrance, you have to walk around 1.5km to reach the actual viewpoint.

 

Amazing View

As we mentioned earlier, you can observe five major provinces in Sri Lanka from here. Those five provinces are; Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern, Southern and Central. As well as you can clearly identify some of the key places. In a clear day you can identify Chandrika Lake, Udawlawa Lake, Handapanagala Lake, Hambanthota Harbour, Wedasitikanda Mountain, Devinuwara Lighthouse, South Coast and Tricomalee Lighthouse.

Early morning is the best time to visit Lipton’s Seat. On that time you can observe the beauty of the sunrise from the distance. It is actually a fantastic picture and you don’t forget to capture it with your camera. Sometimes, the mist will cover the place and it will destroy your stunning view. In such a time, you can see the clouds under you. If you are lucky person then you will see clear picture of the surrounding. If not you will be unhappy with the mist.

 

History

Lipton’s Seat and the surrounded Dambethenna tea estate was established by the Scottish tea planter Sir Thomas Lipton around 1890s. He was also contributed in development of the tea industry in Sri Lanka. He managed all the surrounded tea estates and lived on there. After his duties, he came to this view point and sited on their leisurely by observing the scenic view. Sir Thomas Lipton also started the Dambethenna Tea Factory for the manufacturing of tea. On those time this was the estate produced the best Black Tea in the country.

 

Other Facts about Lipton’s Seat

  • Catherine Seat is another nice view point near the Lipton’s seat. It is few kilometers away and which is situated in the Nayabedda estate. This view point also generate a scenic picture and you can clearly identify the places like Bandarawela, Diyathalawa, Uva Valley and Namunukula Range.
  • Lemathota Waterfall is a nice waterfall that you will meet it in the Dambethenna estate. But it is not popular among most of the travelers. However, it is another nice place to wait for few minutes.
  • Lipton’s seat is a place with cool climate. You should be ready for that before go there. As well as you can expect sudden changing weather.
  • There is a nice statue of the Sir Thomas Lipton near the viewpoint. You can sit neat it and enjoy the beauty of the atmosphere.
  • The place is open from 6am to 5pm. Anyhow, Morning is the ideal time to go there.
  • You can visit Dambethenna Tea Factory and further can analyze the tea manufacturing procedure.

 

(Cover Image Source & Credit: Lanka Classy Tours Twitter) 

Bahirawakanda Temple in Kandy

Bahirawakanda Temple in Kandy

Bahirawakanda Temple, or “Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya”, is a Theravada Buddhist temple in the Kandy city of Sri Lanka. It is a famous tourist attraction in the city. Most tour operators include this location in their Kandy city tour.The giant Buddha statue is the specialty of this temple. You can observe it from anywhere in the city.

The height of the Buddhist statue is around 25m, which is considered as one of the tallest statues in Sri Lanka. It represents the nirvana pose of the Lord Buddha. as well as the position associated with his first enlightenment. Somebody called that position “Dyana Mudra’ or “Nirvana Pose” as well.

Bahirawakanda Mountain and its surroundings have some popular folklore and beliefs. The ‘Bahirawakanda Mountain’ means’ Gnome Mountain’. Those locals believe it has derived its name from those hills. This is not an ancient Buddhist temple with a long history. The initial development of the temple began in 1972 and was contributed by Ven. Ampitiya Dharmarama Thero. Laterally, the temple was opened for worship in January 1993.

Guests are allowed to worship at the Bahirawakanda temple. You can light the oil lamps with offerings of flowers. But you need to remove hats and shoes when entering the temple. After the worship, you find the stairs behind the white statue to climb higher. This will allow you to get a marvelous picture of the surroundings.

Most of them believe the view of the Bahirawakanda Temple is more fantastic in the evening or night. Anyhow, you can clearly observe the Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy Lake, Udawattakale Sanctuary, Playgrounds and some streets of the city. If you can bring a camera, that will give you some memorable photographs in this location.

It is not difficult to reach to the Bahirawakanda Temple and its largest statue. Distance from the Temple of the Tooth Relic is around 2km. You can easily find the location by browsing the google maps. Finally, we have to say that is, you should definitely add this place to your list of best places to visit in Kandy.     

 

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(Featured Image Credit: Fineway from Pinterest)          

Madulsima Mini Worlds End

Madulsima Mini Worlds End Sri Lanka

The Madulsima Mini Worlds End is a fabulous place to visit in the Badulla District. It is situated in the Madulsima area at an elevation of 1357m. The place has recently become popular among many local travelers. But it is an unknown place for most. You can observe a large portion of the eastern province from here. The view is absolutely mind-blowing, and it is fantastic for a photographer.

Location

Madulsima Mini Worlds End is situated in the village of Pitamaruwa. It is a small village which is situated 60km away from Badulla City. The distance to the place from Passara is 42km and from Madulsima, a small town, is 18km. Anyhow, the location is 290km away from the capital, Colombo.

Public transport is available to the Madulsima from Passara or Badulla. But it is perfect if you can use a private vehicle. Road conditions are poor in some parts. Therefore, it’s better if you can also use a 4-wheel vehicle or a bike. The surroundings of the route are very scenic with the greenish tea plantations. That will add additional beauty to your trip. The last part of the trip should be done by foot.

More facts about Madulsima Mini Worlds End

The mini worlds end is situated on the edge of the Roeberry Tea Estate. However, it is managed by the tourist board of the Uva Province. You are allowed to go camping in the area. But you should also consider the heavy wind. The panoramic view will definitely amaze anyone. Such a fantastic place to fly a drone and observe it from a bird’s-eye view.

The fog will cover the place on most occasions. The average temperature is around 18 °C and the annual rainfall is around 2000 mm. You should consider the weather before you go here. This is another place rich in leaches. So, please bring leech protection.

What can you observe from the Madulsima Mini Worlds End ?

The morning picture is wonderful with the sunrise. You can see clouds under you in most of the early mornings. The view is clear if the mist doesn’t affect it.

Mahiyangana, Sorabora Wewa, Senanayaka Tank, Ampara, Bibile, Kokagala, Mahaoya, Monaragala, etc. are some of the clearly visible places.

Final Words

Madulsima Mini Worlds End is a nice place to visit in Badulla. You can observe a beautiful picture from there. Aradunu Ella is a scenic waterfall you can go in the Pitamaruwa Village. DS Rock is another attractive mountain which you can observe during the trip.

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(Featured Image Credit: A w e s o m e from Facebook)

Temple of the Tooth Relic

Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy

Introduction to the Temple of the Tooth Relic

When you think of visiting a rich culture, Sri Lanka always pops into your head. A lot of tourists visit Sri Lanka because of its rich culture and history. This tiny island has so much history, with tales of kings, kingdoms, and temples. One of the most admired places in the whole world is the Temple of the Tooth Relic. In Sinhalese, it is called “Sri Dalanda Maligawa.” It has significant connections to the history of our country.

When you visit Sri Lanka, Put this on top of your must-see list because it is indeed a must-see. Our excellent guides will take you through the temple complex to give you a clear idea of the historical value of the place. Come ready to receive an experience of a lifetime with us in this beautiful place. You will be given a guide who is thorough with local knowledge. If you require language specific guides, they can be provided as well.

The history and architecture of the temple

The importance of this temple is that it accommodates the sacred tooth relic of Buddha. The temple is situated in Kandy, where the royal palace was, during the reign of the Kandyan Kingdom. The tooth relic was preserved and protected in India and was brought to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamali and her husband, Prince Dantha.

The entrance of the temple has one of the main architectural symbols in the Kandyan Kingdom. It is called a Sandakada Pahana (Moonstone). It has the shape of a half-circle with many carvings that symbolize prosperity, peace, culture, and other religious figures. This is placed at the entrance below the staircase. The main gate is called ‘Mahawahalkada’ and it was once completely destroyed. But afterwards, it was renovated, along with its symbols and figures, that are similar to the original.

The Tooth Relic

The Tooth Relic is safely kept in a chamber called ‘Handun Kunama.” It is protected by seven caskets which are engraved with precious stones and gems. One of these caskets is used in the pageant, which happens once a year. These caskets have the shape of a‘stupa.’

Why is this temple important?!

Sri Lanka was originally a Buddhist country. Hence, the Temple of the Tooth Relic is utterly treasured and protected by the community. First of all, it is situated in one of the main cities in Sri Lanka. It was built in the times of the Kandyan Kingdom, and to this date, the temple has not lost its importance. It houses the sacred tooth relic of Buddha. Devotees from all over the island come to worship at this temple because they believe it to be a sacred and holy place.

Pay a visit to one of the important religious spots in the country

Come and enjoy a matchless evening in the Temple of the Tooth Relic premises. See the devotees worship in reverence and honor towards their belief. It is indeed a sight to behold

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(Cover Image Source: @fake_or_real_ from Instagram)

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